Principal vs. Administrator — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
A principal is the head of a school, focusing on educational leadership; an administrator oversees and manages organizations or departments.
Difference Between Principal and Administrator
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The principal is typically the highest-ranking official in an educational setting, particularly in schools. Administrators, on the other hand, can be found in various organizations, including educational, corporate, and governmental.
A principal is primarily concerned with educational leadership, student discipline, and staff management within a school. Administrators oversee broader management functions that may include strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational oversight.
In a school, the principal is directly involved with students, teachers, and parents, shaping the educational environment. Administrators may not always have such direct involvement, especially in larger organizations where their role can be more strategic.
The role of a principal is more specific to the educational sector, whereas administrators can work in a wide variety of sectors including healthcare, technology, finance, and government.
While both roles require leadership skills, a principal’s leadership is more educational and student-focused, whereas an administrator's leadership might be more diversified, depending on the organization’s needs and goals.
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Comparison Chart
Sector
Primarily educational.
Various sectors including education, business, government.
Focus
Educational leadership and school management.
General management and organizational oversight.
Direct Involvement
High with students, teachers, and parents.
Varies, often more strategic and less direct.
Scope
Specific to a school setting.
Broad, across various departments or entire organizations.
Primary Role
Educational environment shaping.
Overall management and strategic planning.
Compare with Definitions
Principal
The head of a school.
The principal announced a new policy for extracurricular activities.
Administrator
A person responsible for running a business or service.
As an administrator, she improved the company's efficiency.
Principal
A sum of money lent or invested.
The principal amount of the loan was $10,000.
Administrator
Someone who executes or manages affairs.
The estate’s administrator handled the legal matters.
Principal
The most important or foremost.
Safety is the principal concern in this construction project.
Administrator
An official in a government or political system.
The city administrator proposed a new public policy.
Principal
A person with a leading role or position.
She was the principal dancer in the ballet company.
Administrator
A person who manages computer systems or networks.
The IT administrator updated the company's cybersecurity measures.
Principal
A main participant in an action.
He was the principal player in the negotiation deal.
Administrator
Someone who manages or oversees an organization.
The hospital administrator implemented new protocols.
Principal
First in order of importance; main
The country's principal cities
Administrator
A person responsible for carrying out the administration of a business or organization
Hospital administrators
Principal
Denoting an original sum invested or lent
The principal amount of your investment
Administrator
A person who dispenses or administers something
Administrators of justice
Principal
The most important or senior person in an organization or group
A design consultancy whose principal is based in San Francisco
Administrator
One who administers, especially one who works as a manager in a business, government agency, or school.
Principal
A sum of money lent or invested, on which interest is paid
The winners are paid from the interest without even touching the principal
Administrator
(Law) One appointed to administer an estate.
Principal
A person for whom another acts as an agent or representative
Stockbrokers in Tokyo act as agents rather than as principals
Administrator
One who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs; a manager
Principal
The person directly responsible for a crime.
Administrator
(legal) A person who manages or settles the estate of an intestate, or of a testator when there is no competent executor; one to whom the right of administration has been committed by competent authority
Principal
A main rafter supporting purlins.
Administrator
(computing) One who is responsible for software installation, management, information and maintenance of a computer or network
Principal
An organ stop sounding a main register of open flue pipes typically an octave above the diapason
All the principals are on one manual
Administrator
One who administers affairs; one who directs, manages, executes, or dispenses, whether in civil, judicial, political, or ecclesiastical affairs; a manager.
Principal
First or highest in rank or importance.
Administrator
A man who manages or settles the estate of an intestate, or of a testator when there is no competent executor; one to whom the right of administration has been committed by competent authority.
Principal
Of, relating to, or being financial principal, or a principal in a financial transaction.
Administrator
Someone who administers a business
Principal
One who holds a position of presiding rank, especially the head of an elementary school, middle school, or high school.
Administrator
The party appointed by a probate court to distribute the estate of someone who dies without a will or without naming an executor
Principal
A main participant in a situation, especially a financial transaction.
Administrator
Someone who manages a government agency or department
Principal
A person having a leading or starring role in a performance, such as the first player in a section of an orchestra.
Principal
An amount of capital originally borrowed or invested, as opposed to the interest paid or accruing on it.
Principal
The most significant part of an estate, as opposed to minor or incidental components.
Principal
The person on behalf of whom an agent acts.
Principal
The person having prime responsibility for an obligation as distinguished from one who acts as surety or as an endorser.
Principal
The main actor in the perpetration of a crime.
Principal
(Architecture) Either of a pair of inclined timbers forming the sides of a triangular truss for a pitched roof.
Principal
Primary; most important; first level in importance.
Smith is the principal architect of this design.
The principal cause of the failure was poor planning.
Principal
Of or relating to a prince; princely.
Principal
(mathematics) Chosen or assumed among a branch of possible values of a multi-valued function so that the function is single-valued.
Two is the principal square root of 4. Both −2 and +2 are square roots of 4.
Principal
The money originally invested or loaned, on which basis interest and returns are calculated.
A portion of your mortgage payment goes to reduce the principal, and the rest covers interest.
Principal
The chief administrator of a school.
Principal
The chief executive and chief academic officer of a university or college.
Principal
(legal) A legal person that authorizes another (the agent) to act on their behalf; or on whose behalf an agent or gestor in a negotiorum gestio acts.
When an attorney represents a client, the client is the principal who permits the attorney, the client′s agent, to act on the client′s behalf.
My principal sells metal shims.
Principal
(legal) The primary participant in a crime.
Principal
(North America) A partner or owner of a business.
Principal
(music) A diapason, a type of organ stop on a pipe organ.
Principal
The construction that gives shape and strength to a roof, generally a truss of timber or iron; or, loosely, the most important member of a piece of framing.
Principal
The first two long feathers of a hawk's wing.
Principal
One of the turrets or pinnacles of waxwork and tapers with which the posts and centre of a funeral hearse were formerly crowned
Principal
(obsolete) An essential point or rule; a principle.
Principal
A dancer at the highest rank within a professional dance company, particularly a ballet company.
Principal
(computing) A security principal.
Principal
Highest in rank, authority, character, importance, or degree; most considerable or important; chief; main; as, the principal officers of a Government; the principal men of a state; the principal productions of a country; the principal arguments in a case.
Wisdom is the principal thing.
Principal
Of or pertaining to a prince; princely.
Principal
A leader, chief, or head; one who takes the lead; one who acts independently, or who has controlling authority or influence; as, the principal of a faction, a school, a firm, etc.; - distinguished from a subordinate, abettor, auxiliary, or assistant.
Principal
The chief actor in a crime, or an abettor who is present at it, - as distinguished from an accessory.
Principal
A thing of chief or prime importance; something fundamental or especially conspicuous.
Principal
The original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
Principal
The educator who has executive authority for a school;
She sent unruly pupils to see the principal
Principal
An actor who plays a principal role
Principal
Capital as contrasted with the income derived from it
Principal
The major party to a financial transaction at a stock exchange; buys and sells for his own account
Principal
Most important element;
The chief aim of living
The main doors were of solid glass
The principal rivers of America
The principal example
Policemen were primary targets
Common Curiosities
Does a principal make curriculum decisions?
Often, principals are involved in curriculum decisions and educational strategies.
Can administrators work in schools?
Yes, administrators can work in educational settings, often in higher-level management.
Are administrators involved in policy-making?
Yes, administrators often play a role in policy-making and strategic planning.
Do principals handle disciplinary actions?
Yes, principals often handle disciplinary actions within a school.
Do administrators need specific sector knowledge?
It depends on the sector; some administrative roles require specialized knowledge.
Can a principal be involved in hiring teachers?
Yes, principals often play a role in hiring and evaluating teachers.
Are all administrators in leadership positions?
Generally, yes, administrators hold leadership or managerial roles.
Is a principal always in an educational setting?
Typically, yes, principals are associated with schools.
Can administrators manage finances?
Yes, administrators often manage finances and resources.
Do principals need educational qualifications?
Yes, principals typically need educational qualifications and teaching experience.
Do administrators interact with employees directly?
This varies; in some organizations, they interact directly, in others, less so.
Are principals involved in school budgeting?
Principals often have input on the school's budget and resource allocation.
Is a principal’s role limited to inside the school?
Principals also engage with the community, but their main focus is within the school.
Is the role of a principal the same in all schools?
The core responsibilities are similar, but specific duties can vary based on the school.
Can administrators work in non-profit organizations?
Yes, administrators can work in non-profits, businesses, government, etc.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
