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Dean vs student services director

The differences between deans and student services directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a dean and a student services director. Additionally, a dean has an average salary of $86,318, which is higher than the $68,307 average annual salary of a student services director.

The top three skills for a dean include curriculum development, oversight and scholarship. The most important skills for a student services director are professional development, financial aid, and support services.

Dean vs student services director overview

DeanStudent Services Director
Yearly salary$86,318$68,307
Hourly rate$41.50$32.84
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs1,18369,818
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

What does a dean do?

A dean is responsible for overseeing the educational operations of the assigned department, enforcing school policies, and monitoring the students' progress by coordinating with the teachers and setting up procedures to improve teaching methods. Deans administer educational training and programs for the students, as well as extra-curricular activities to develop the students' social behavior, maximize their potentials, and increase their self-confidence. They also handle the department's budget, accurately allocating resources and funds to different activities and educational materials.

What does a student services director do?

In learning institutions, a Student Services Director spearheads and oversees the student services office's daily operations. They directly handle student affairs, from academic endeavors to student discipline, including expulsions and suspensions, school security, child welfare, internships, and alternative education. A Student Services Director also participates in developing academic projects and programs, coordinating with internal and external parties to make them possible. Moreover, they also have the authority to implement policies and regulations, developing new ones as necessary.

Dean vs student services director salary

Deans and student services directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

DeanStudent Services Director
Average salary$86,318$68,307
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $150,000Between $43,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CityLos Altos, CABerkeley, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Jersey
Best paying companyPalmer College of ChiropracticLos Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between dean and student services director education

There are a few differences between a dean and a student services director in terms of educational background:

DeanStudent Services Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Dean vs student services director demographics

Here are the differences between deans' and student services directors' demographics:

DeanStudent Services Director
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 53.8% Female, 46.2%Male, 37.4% Female, 62.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 4.3% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.3% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between dean and student services director duties and responsibilities

Dean example responsibilities.

  • Produce, manage and evaluate all budgetary and programmatic aspects of a comprehensive career service program for students and alumni.
  • Develop funding split or co-fund project collaborations across colleges.
  • Deliver oversight and management of student behavior and attendance compliance.
  • Build partnerships with community colleges and universities for student opportunities.
  • Provide leadership for instructional programming and oversight for the operations of the agriculture, energy and sustainability areas.
  • Work cooperatively with other offices and student groups in the implementation of various campus-wide multicultural activities and other major events.
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Student services director example responsibilities.

  • Support and oversee students from colleges across the country as they organize and lead interfaith service programming on their own campuses.
  • Source employers through market research, LinkedIn and cold calls.
  • Explore and find additional sources to supplement scholarship funds for minorities.
  • Review and edit resumes while providing direction for content in LinkedIn and e-portfolio profiles.
  • Attend and contribute to impartial hearings or legally-binding mediation meetings where students' needs are discuss.
  • Design and maintain a participation tracking system that will accurately document student participation in the SSS program.
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Dean vs student services director skills

Common dean skills
  • Curriculum Development, 8%
  • Oversight, 8%
  • Scholarship, 7%
  • Human Resources, 6%
  • Strategic Plan, 5%
  • Colleges, 5%
Common student services director skills
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • Support Services, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Alumni, 4%
  • Student Life, 4%

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