Gender, Ethnicity, and Highest Degree Earned as Salary Determinants for Senior Student Affairs Officers at Public Institutions

Abstract

Using data gathered through the 1999–2000 NASPA Salary Survey, researchers examined the effects of gender, ethnicity, and highest degree earned on mean salaries of senior student affairs officers (SSAOs) at 4-year, public institutions. Analyses of covariance found that degree attainment and ethnicity significantly affected salaries, while gender did not. Although salaries appeared to be equitable, women and people of color were not represented proportionally at the senior levels of student affairs administration. It appears that women and people of color do not reach the position of SSAO at similar rates as Caucasian males, but once there salary inequity is not present.