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Program advisor vs admissions representative

The differences between program advisors and admissions representatives can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a program advisor has an average salary of $55,656, which is higher than the $38,193 average annual salary of an admissions representative.

The top three skills for a program advisor include customer service, persistence and intellectual disabilities. The most important skills for an admissions representative are customer service, patients, and phone calls.

Program advisor vs admissions representative overview

Program AdvisorAdmissions Representative
Yearly salary$55,656$38,193
Hourly rate$26.76$18.36
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs109,30716,883
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a program advisor do?

A program advisor is in charge of overseeing programs from planning to execution, ensuring everything functions according to its goals and guidelines. Although their responsibilities depend on their line of work and industry of employment, it typically involves performing research and analysis to find new opportunities and determine ideal practices, gathering and analyzing client feedback, setting objectives, and developing strategies to carry out the purpose of every program, prioritizing optimal services. Moreover, a program advisor must monitor the progress of all operations, recommending solutions should any problems arise.

What does an admissions representative do?

As the name entails, admissions representatives assist prospective and new students attending a university. They give these students the information they need to make a well-informed decision regarding enrollment, make admissions decisions, and review documents. It is also their job to decide which students need to be followed up, ask students their choices, and hold new and prospective students to deadlines. They may be assigned to several areas depending on the department's needs, including prospect management, graduate admissions, and undergraduate admissions.

Program advisor vs admissions representative salary

Program advisors and admissions representatives have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program AdvisorAdmissions Representative
Average salary$55,656$38,193
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $96,000Between $24,000 And $60,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASanta Cruz, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleGuidehouse
Best paying industryTechnologyHealth Care

Differences between program advisor and admissions representative education

There are a few differences between a program advisor and an admissions representative in terms of educational background:

Program AdvisorAdmissions Representative
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Program advisor vs admissions representative demographics

Here are the differences between program advisors' and admissions representatives' demographics:

Program AdvisorAdmissions Representative
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 44.8% Female, 55.2%Male, 36.7% Female, 63.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between program advisor and admissions representative duties and responsibilities

Program advisor example responsibilities.

  • Study and implement marketing through Facebook and other various websites which generate sales leads.
  • Manage UAFS's F-1/J-1 student visa SEVIS compliance as DSO/ARO, ensuring all documentation is in order prior to students arriving.
  • Train office staff and first-year graduate assistant on proper usage of PeopleSoft software.
  • Determine eligibility for WIOA training funds (unemploy, under employed/food stamp program).
  • Interview and investigate applicants for WIOA services and gather information pertinent to their applications.
  • Help develop resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles for students at the college.
  • Show more

Admissions representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage CRM with information updates and generate daily reports.
  • Deliver PowerPoint motivational career presentations to high school students and attend college fairs to generate leads for the university.
  • Assist with maintaining medical records while complying with HIPAA regulations.
  • Document and update current business within ITT recruitment software system (S3).
  • Ensure quality by providing high levels of customer service and utilize CRM to ensure organization.
  • Require to work with urgency and utmost efficiency in order to adhere to proper HIPAA regulations.
  • Show more

Program advisor vs admissions representative skills

Common program advisor skills
  • Customer Service, 29%
  • Persistence, 11%
  • Intellectual Disabilities, 8%
  • Veterans, 8%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
Common admissions representative skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Patients, 18%
  • Phone Calls, 9%
  • Financial Aid, 6%
  • Admissions Process, 6%
  • Enrollment Process, 5%

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