Student dean vs student services director

The differences between student 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 student dean and a student services director. Additionally, a student services director has an average salary of $68,307, which is higher than the $59,497 average annual salary of a student dean.

The top three skills for a student dean include behavior issues, staff development and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a student services director are professional development, financial aid, and support services.

Student dean vs student services director overview

	Student Dean	Student Services Director
Yearly salary	$59,497	$68,307
Hourly rate	$28.60	$32.84
Growth rate	7%	7%
Number of jobs	10,422	69,818
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	6	6

What does a student dean do?

A Student Dean is focused on responding to students' needs at a college or university. They plan and direct university activities related to student services and campus life.

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.

Student dean vs student services director salary

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

	Student Dean	Student Services Director
Average salary	$59,497	$68,307
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $109,000	Between $43,000 And $106,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Berkeley, CA
Highest paying state	New York	New Jersey
Best paying company	Dawson School	Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between student dean and student services director education

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

	Student Dean	Student Services Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Educational Leadership	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Student dean vs student services director demographics

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

	Student Dean	Student Services Director
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8%	Male, 37.4% Female, 62.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.7% 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 Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between student dean and student services director duties and responsibilities

Student dean example responsibilities.

Implement recruitment efforts with local schools and colleges.
Assist with tours of various HBCU and non-HBCU colleges and universities.
Foster a positive school culture through oversight of social activities including talent shows, prep rallies and community meetings.
Provide comprehensive oversight and direction.
Foster positive campus climate for very diverse student population.
Work cooperatively with other administrators to promote student success and a positive campus climate.

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.

Student dean vs student services director skills

Common student dean skills

Behavior Issues, 9%
Staff Development, 7%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Student Achievement, 5%
Progress Monitoring, 5%
Student Services, 4%

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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Student Dean
Student Dean vs Student Services Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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