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Student services director vs director of student affairs

The differences between student services directors and directors of student affairs 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 services director and a director of student affairs. Additionally, a director of student affairs has an average salary of $74,804, which is higher than the $68,307 average annual salary of a student services director.

The top three skills for a student services director include professional development, financial aid and support services. The most important skills for a director of student affairs are student affairs, student services, and alumni.

Student services director vs director of student affairs overview

Student Services DirectorDirector Of Student Affairs
Yearly salary$68,307$74,804
Hourly rate$32.84$35.96
Growth rate7%7%
Number of jobs69,81822,875
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4747
Years of experience66

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.

What does a director of student affairs do?

A director of student affairs will oversee student clubs, manage student activities and budgetary information, and work with students to provide referrals for counseling and community services. Your duties typically include planning and arranging recreational, cultural, and social activities of different student groups, evaluating programs and providing recommendations for improvements, and scheduling events. As the student affairs director, it is your responsibility to organize and conduct an orientation program for new students and coordinate the publication of the student affairs calendar.

Student services director vs director of student affairs salary

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

Student Services DirectorDirector Of Student Affairs
Average salary$68,307$74,804
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $106,000Between $44,000 And $125,000
Highest paying CityBerkeley, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyLos Alamos National LaboratoryPacifi
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between student services director and director of student affairs education

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

Student Services DirectorDirector Of Student Affairs
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Student services director vs director of student affairs demographics

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

Student Services DirectorDirector Of Student Affairs
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 37.4% Female, 62.6%Male, 48.2% Female, 51.8%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between student services director and director of student affairs duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Director of student affairs example responsibilities.

  • Provide resources and professional development opportunities to alumni to ensure engagement and a connection to Rasmussen.
  • Develop yearly FERPA training to increase knowledge and compliance with the law.
  • Develop CRM, print, website, and social media campaigns to enhance recruitment.
  • Open new culinary school from initial build-out to include initial program design and approval.
  • Direct campus through application process, site visits, and approval for institutional ABHES accreditation.
  • Coordinate events and catering services including divisional meetings, outings, student dinners, and other VPSA events.
  • Show more

Student services director vs director of student affairs skills

Common student services director skills
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • Support Services, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Alumni, 4%
  • Student Life, 4%
Common director of student affairs skills
  • Student Affairs, 16%
  • Student Services, 7%
  • Alumni, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • Student Organizations, 5%

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