9 Best CRM for Higher Education 

9 Best CRM for Higher Education , Created on

May 24th, 2023 by mvega

Proper Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software has become essential for the higher education sector. Institutions must leverage robust CRM solutions to manage relationships effectively with the increasing competition for student enrolment and the need to enhance student experiences. A strong CRM system offers student recruitment tracking, communication management, and performance analytics, allowing universities and colleges to tailor their strategies based on accurate insights. By streamlining administrative processes and fostering meaningful interactions between educators and students, CRM software helps enhance recruitment efforts. It supports student retention and satisfaction, ultimately contributing to a more supportive and connected educational environment.

When selecting CRM software for higher education, exploring various options thoroughly before deciding is crucial. Each institution has unique needs and challenges, so evaluating multiple CRM solutions ensures that the chosen software aligns with specific goals and requirements. Additionally, by comparing features, pricing, and user experiences, institutions can identify systems that provide the most value, support essential processes, and enhance student and staff experience. Failure to conduct this due diligence may lead to misunderstandings about a system’s capabilities, resulting in ineffective implementation and wasted resources. Investing time in research can lead to informed decisions that better serve the educational community. This article presents the 9 best CRM for higher education institutions to consider.

Local CRM for higher education is a cloud-based solution that can be accessed from any device and location. It offers a user-friendly interface and a flexible pricing model based on the number of users and contacts. Local CRM also provides training, support, and consulting services to help institutions implement and optimize their CRM strategy.

Local CRM for higher education is designed to meet the needs and challenges of the higher education sector. It offers features such as event management, marketing automation, student support services, advancement and fundraising, digital campus and online learning, data integration, and security.

Here are some of the features:

• Student support services
• Advancement and fundraising
• Digital campus and online learning
• Data integration and security
• Event management
• Marketing automation

Rating: 

Pricing

Local CRM offers various packages at different price points. For more information about its services, contact info@LocalCRM.com.

The best part about the pricing is that you only pay for how much you need.

Pros: 

• A cloud-based solution will not require any maintenance or installation. 
• Affordable and suited for small and medium-sized enterprises. 
• Features range from sales and marketing to project and inventory management. 
• Simple and non-elusive UI.

Cons:

• Limited integration option with other tools, such as social media and e-commerce platforms.
• It can be challenging for document customization.

Slate CRM for higher studies is a software that helps institutions manage their relationships with current and potential students, alumni, donors, and other stakeholders. It can help institutions improve their recruitment, retention, engagement, fundraising, marketing, and online learning efforts by collecting and organizing data, communicating in a personalized and relevant way, providing value-added services and support, engaging in meaningful activities and events, soliciting feedback and input, and measuring and evaluating the impact of their efforts.

Slate CRM for higher studies is a cloud-based solution that can be accessed from any device and location. It offers a user-friendly interface and a flexible pricing model based on the number of users and contacts.

Here are some of the features:

• Event management
• Marketing automation
• Student support services
• Advancement and fundraising
• Digital campus and online learning

Rating: 4.7/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

Slate CRM for higher studies does not disclose its pricing publicly. The average cost of Slate CRM for higher studies ranges from $10 to $100 per user per month. However, this is only a rough estimate, and the actual cost may vary depending on each institution’s specific needs and circumstances.

Pros:

• Slate CRM for higher studies is designed and developed exclusively for higher education.
• It is a cloud-based solution accessed from any device and location.
• For higher studies provides training, support, and consulting services.

Cons:

• For higher studies can be complex and challenging to use for some users who are not familiar with coding or SQL.
• Higher studies may not integrate well with some legacy systems.

Copper CRM for higher studies is software that helps institutions manage their relationships with current and potential students, alumni, donors, and other stakeholders. 

This CRM can help institutions improve their recruitment, retention, engagement, fundraising, marketing, and online learning efforts by collecting and organizing data, communicating in a personalized and relevant way, providing value-added services and support, engaging in meaningful activities and events, soliciting feedback and input, and measuring and evaluating the impact of their efforts.

Here are some of the features:

• Google Workspace integration
• Lead management
• Opportunity management
• Contact management
• Reporting and analytics

Rating: 4.3/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

Copper CRM for higher studies has three plans: Basic ($25/$29 per user/month), Professional ($59/$69 per user/month), and Business ($119/$139 per user/month). Each plan includes Google Workspace integration and more features as the price increases.

Pros:

• It is designed to work seamlessly with Google Workspace tools that many institutions already use.
• It is a cloud-based solution accessed from any device and location.
• Training support and consulting services are provided to help institutions implement and optimize their CRM strategy.

Cons:

• It may also require additional customization or configuration to meet each institution’s specific needs or preferences.
• It may not offer some advanced features that other CRM solutions provide, such as event management marketing automation. 

Hubspot CRM is a cloud-based platform offering tools and integrations to help you grow your business. Whether you need to manage your contacts, generate leads, close deals, or delight customers, Hubspot CRM has something for everyone. And it’s 100% free to get started.

But how can Hubspot CRM help you with your higher studies? If you’re looking for a way to organize your research, collaborate with your peers, communicate with your professors, or showcase your work, Hubspot CRM can be a powerful ally.

Here are some of the features:

• Content Management
• Email marketing
• Live chat
• Reporting dashboard
• App marketplace integrations

Rating: 4.5/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

Pros:

• It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and customize.
• It has a generous free plan offers a lot of value for small businesses and startups.
• It has a comprehensive platform that covers all aspects of sales and marketing.
• It has a strong customer support team available 24/7 via phone and email for paid plans.

Cons:

• It can get expensive for larger businesses or those who need more advanced features.
• It has only one email per contact record, which can be limiting for some businesses.
• It has some limitations on data storage and export options for free users.
• It has some compatibility issues with some browsers and devices.

NetSuite CRM is cloud-based software that provides a comprehensive solution for managing customer relationships, sales, marketing, and service. It can also be used for academic purposes, as it offers many features that can benefit students.

NetSuite CRM is a powerful tool for businesses and students. It can help you streamline your academic workflow, improve productivity and efficiency, and enhance your learning experience.

Here are some of the features:

• Project management
• Collaboration
• Data integration
• Mobile access

Rating: 3.9/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

NetSuite CRM costs around $99 to $129 per user per month, plus a one-time implementation fee that varies depending on your configuration and customization.

Pros:

• It can cater to businesses of any size and industry
• It can seamlessly integrate with other NetSuite applications and platforms like ERP, e-commerce, HR, and more.
• It is a cloud-based software. 

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other CRM solutions in the market.
• Its extensive features and functionality can be overwhelming for some users.
• Does not offer a free trial for its software.

Ellucian CRM Advise helps you support and retain your students throughout their academic journey. You can monitor student progress, identify at-risk students, provide proactive interventions, and foster collaboration. You can also leverage data and analytics to improve student outcomes and retention.

Ellucian CRM Advance helps you build and strengthen relationships with alumni and donors. You can manage your fundraising campaigns, track donor engagement, recognize gift societies, and empower volunteer fundraisers. You can also use reporting and dashboards to measure your impact and performance.

Here are some of the features:

• Ellucian CRM Recruit
• Ellucian CRM Advise
• Ellucian CRM Advance:
• Ellucian Intelligent Learning Platform

Rating: 3.8/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

Ellucian CRM pricing depends on the number of users, contacts, features, and modules you need. You can request a quote from their website or contact their sales team for more details.

Pros:

• It is a comprehensive suite that covers all aspects of higher education relationship management.
• It is a flexible platform that can be customized to fit your institution’s needs and goals.
• It is a user-friendly platform that is easy to learn and use.
• It is a data-driven platform that provides insights and analytics to help you make informed decisions.

Cons:

• It can be expensive for some institutions or those who need more advanced features.
• It can have some compatibility issues with some browsers or devices.
• It can have some learning curve for some users or those new to CRM software.

Finalsite is a website design and digital marketing platform that helps colleges and universities create stunning websites, streamline communications, and build effective campaigns.

It is a customer relationship management system that integrates with your website and other tools to help you manage your admissions and enrollment process.

Here are some of the features:

• It helps you capture leads from various sources
• Tracking and nurturing prospects
• Segmenting and targeting your audience
• Analyze and optimize your performance

Rating: 4.1/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

Finalsite does not provide a fixed pricing plan for its CRM solution. Instead, it offers a customized quote based on your needs and goals. You can request a free demo and consultation.

Pros:

• It is a comprehensive solution that covers all aspects of your website design, communications, and enrollment management.
• It integrates seamlessly with your existing systems and tools, such as student information systems, learning management systems, and social media applications.
• It provides expert guidance and support from a team of school marketing consultants with a proven track record of getting schools noticed online.

Cons:

• It has no transparent pricing structure that allows you to compare its cost with other solutions.
• Using its features effectively may require some training and a learning curve.
• It may not be suitable for schools with limited budgets or resources for website design and digital marketing.

FileInvite is a convenient solution for colleges and universities that simplifies collecting data, signatures, and documents from students, applicants, and staff. 

It’s an easy-to-use platform that streamlines the collection process. FileInvite CRM for higher studies is a customer relationship management system that integrates with your website and other tools to help you request, collect, and store documents, files, live forms with signatures, and client data.

Here are some of the features:

• Auto PDF Conversion
• Set Naming Conventions
• Digital Signatures
• Customizable Notifications
• Live Forms
• Admin Dashboard
• Bulk Invite

Rating: 4.8/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

FileInvite has three subscription plans depending on how many users and features you need. The Starter plan costs $15 per user per month if billed annually or $19 per user per month if billed monthly, including one user account. The Pro plan costs $45 per user per month if billed annually or $59 per user per month if billed monthly and includes one user account plus unlimited additional users at $15/$19 per user per month. The Enterprise plan offers custom pricing and features based on your specific needs.

Pros:

• Automating your document workflow and integrating it with your cloud storage solution or other systems saves you time and money.
• It ensures your data security and compliance using a GDPR, HIPAA, FERPA-compliant, SOC-2 certified, and AWS-hosted platform.
• It offers you free training, support, and resources to help you make the most of your document collection and data management process.

Cons:

• It has no transparent pricing structure that allows you to compare its cost with other solutions.
• Using its features effectively may require some training and a learning curve.
• It may not be suitable for institutions with limited budgets or resources for document collection and data management.

FreeAgent CRM is designed to be flexible and customizable so that you can tailor it to your specific needs and preferences. You can create custom fields, labels, filters, and reports to capture and analyze the data that matters to you. You can also integrate FreeAgent CRM with various apps and tools that you use daily, such as Gmail, Outlook, Zoom, Slack, and more.

FreeAgent CRM is a powerful tool for managing your academic work and a great way to showcase your achievements and network with potential employers. You can create a professional profile highlighting your skills, publications, awards, and recommendations. You can also connect with other users who share your interests and goals and discover new opportunities in your field.

Here are some of the features:

• Contact management
• Task management
• Event management
• File management
• Reporting and analytics

Rating: 4.7/5 (G2 Rating)

Pricing

FreeAgent CRM has three pricing plans: Solo, Pro, and Enterprise. You can try it for free for 14 days. The Solo plan costs $49 per user per month and includes unlimited features and support. The Pro plan costs $69 per user per month and adds advanced features such as automation workflows and custom branding. The Enterprise plan has custom pricing and offers premium features such as a dedicated account manager and custom development.

Pros:

• It allows you to add as many users as you want without extra cost.
• A user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and customize.
• Supports multiple currencies and languages for invoicing your customers.

Cons: 

• It does not allow you to customize invoices beyond the essential fields and templates.
• It does not integrate with some popular apps and tools that are widely used by small businesses.
• It does not offer many options for generating reports and dashboards.

CRM for Higher Education is a software that helps institutions manage their interactions with various stakeholders, such as prospective students, current students, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, partners, etc. CRM for Higher Education can help institutions improve their recruitment, retention, engagement, fundraising, marketing, and online learning efforts by collecting and organizing data, communicating in a personalized and relevant way, providing value-added services and support, engaging in meaningful activities and events, soliciting feedback and input, and measuring and evaluating the impact of their efforts

Education CRM can assist institutes in increasing admissions by streamlining the recruitment and enrollment process, delivering personalized and targeted communications, tracking and nurturing leads, and providing insights and analytics on the effectiveness of their campaigns. Education CRM can help institutes attract more qualified applicants, increase conversion rates, reduce dropout rates, and optimize resources.

Some examples of universities that use CRM for their transactions are Arizona State University, Oakland Unified School District, Ivy Tech Community College, and INSEAD Business School. These universities use CRM to improve student experience, alumni relations, advancement and fundraising, marketing and communications, online learning, and digital campus.

Some key features of CRM for Higher Education are event management, marketing automation, student support services, advancement and fundraising, digital campus and online learning, data integration, and security. Event management helps institutes plan and manage recruitment, engagement, and fundraising events. Marketing automation allows institutes to create and execute campaigns across multiple channels such as email, social media, webinars, etc. Student support services help institutes provide academic advising, career counseling, financial aid assistance, etc. Advancement and fundraising help institutes solicit donations from alumni and other donors. Digital campus and online learning help institutes deliver online courses and programs. Data integration and security help institutes connect data from various sources and systems and protect it from unauthorized access.

The cost of a CRM for Higher Education depends on various factors such as the size and type of the institution, the number of users and contacts, the features and functionalities required, the level of customization and integration, and the vendor and pricing model chosen. According to some sources, the average cost of a CRM for Higher Education ranges from $10 to $100 per user per month. However, this is only a rough estimate, and the actual cost may vary depending on each institution’s specific needs and circumstances. Therefore, comparing different CRM solutions and vendors and requesting a quote based on your requirements before making a final decision is advisable.

The answer to this question is more complex than yes or no. It depends on each university’s goals and challenges and how it wants to position itself in the competitive and dynamic higher education landscape. CRM is not a magic bullet that can solve all a university’s problems. It is a tool that can help a university achieve its objectives if it is implemented strategically and effectively.

CRM can help a university improve its relationships with its various constituents: prospective students, current students, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, partners, etc. By using CRM, a university can collect and organize data about these constituents, communicate with them in a personalized and relevant way, provide them with value-added services and support, engage them in meaningful activities and events, solicit feedback and input from them, and measure and evaluate the impact of its efforts.