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Vice chancellor vs principal

The differences between vice chancellors and principals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a vice chancellor, becoming a principal takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a principal has an average salary of $111,719, which is higher than the $110,441 average annual salary of a vice chancellor.

The top three skills for a vice chancellor include oversight, human resources and professional development. The most important skills for a principal are CRM, project management, and financial services.

Vice chancellor vs principal overview

Vice ChancellorPrincipal
Yearly salary$110,441$111,719
Hourly rate$53.10$53.71
Growth rate7%5%
Number of jobs29,70384,015
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4747
Years of experience64

What does a vice chancellor do?

A vice-chancellor typically leads all academic and administrative departments in a tertiary institution. They perform all important ceremonial and civic duties. They serve on several university councils and assist with the development of policies and academic plans. They are also expected to prepare budgets for the university and to ensure the institution has a positive image. Attending various conferences and events will be a regular feature of this position.

What does a principal do?

A principal is responsible for maintaining the orderliness of the school premises and supervising school operations, enforcing strict safety standards, and reiterating regulatory procedures. Principals' duties also include managing and monitoring school budget and expenses, improving security plans, conducting regular meetings and sharing updates with teachers and other school personnel, creating reports for school funding, and setting academic goals for everyone's compliance. A principal must administer excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills to handle major administrative tasks in maintaining the school's growth.

Vice chancellor vs principal salary

Vice chancellors and principals have different pay scales, as shown below.

Vice ChancellorPrincipal
Average salary$110,441$111,719
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $185,000Between $69,000 And $179,000
Highest paying CitySanta Cruz, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateArizonaNew York
Best paying companyThe University of Kansas Health SystemKKR & Co. L.P.
Best paying industryEducationProfessional

Differences between vice chancellor and principal education

There are a few differences between a vice chancellor and a principal in terms of educational background:

Vice ChancellorPrincipal
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Vice chancellor vs principal demographics

Here are the differences between vice chancellors' and principals' demographics:

Vice ChancellorPrincipal
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 48.2% Female, 51.8%Male, 65.6% Female, 34.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.3% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.3% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between vice chancellor and principal duties and responsibilities

Vice chancellor example responsibilities.

  • Manage students by establishing an appropriate climate and earning respect through effective leadership techniques.
  • Key responsibilities include full operational oversight, business development strategy and implementation, and campus compliance with reporting and accreditation requirements.
  • Direct all homecoming and alumni appreciation activities.
  • Create all freshman first-semester schedules and register students as necessary.

Principal example responsibilities.

  • Manage all documentation associate with FMLA, ADA, & DOL requests.
  • Develop schedules, payroll, and manage recruiting, hiring and company standards to ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Launch, continue to manage, and act as primary portfolio manager and trader for boutique investment consulting firm.
  • Manage the RFP process for a new medical plan TPA delivering a savings of almost $1MM in fix costs.
  • Achieve 7-digit annual revenues from start-up in one year by capitalizing on accurate niche market gap and consumer demand identification.
  • Manage all human resource matters, including payroll and benefits administration.
  • Show more

Vice chancellor vs principal skills

Common vice chancellor skills
  • Oversight, 15%
  • Human Resources, 10%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Strategic Plan, 7%
  • Academic Affairs, 6%
  • Student Affairs, 5%
Common principal skills
  • CRM, 7%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Financial Services, 6%
  • Healthcare, 6%
  • Professional Services, 5%
  • ERP, 5%

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