5 Top CRM Software Solutions for Universities in 2024

Universities today find themselves relying on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software to maintain visibility of student engagement, recruitment, alumni relations, and other important business processes. If you manage a University or similar institution, then picking the right CRM can make or break your success.

Here are the top five CRM systems that are well-suited to universities in 2024:

    1.     Salesforce Education Cloud     

Salesforce Education Cloud is a CRM system designed for educational institutions, including recruitment, admissions, student success, and alumni relations.

Main Features:    

– A 360-degree picture of students and graduates.

– Robust analytical and reporting tools.

– Workflows and automation can be customized.

– Integration with more Salesforce products and third-party applications.

Strength:    

– Highly scalable and configurable, ideal for huge institutions.

Ellucian CRM offers higher education-specific solutions, such as CRM Recruit, CRM Advise, and CRM Advance, to manage the student lifecycle from recruitment to alumni interaction.

Key Features:    

– Customised modules for recruitment, student achievement, and alumni engagement.

– Integration with the Ellucian Banner and Colleague ERP systems.

– Advanced data analysis and insights.

– Tools to increase student engagement and retention.

Strengths:    

– Strong integration with higher education systems, as well as a specific focus on university demands.

    3.     HubSpot for Education    

HubSpot’s CRM platform is popular among educational institutions because of its easy-to-use interface and powerful marketing automation.

– Key features include inbound marketing and content management tools.

– Track and handle leads.

– Marketing automation, including email campaigns.

– Integration of numerous third-party technologies.

Strengths:  

– Ideal for universities that prioritise inbound marketing techniques and smooth communication.

Blackbaud CRM is a well-known solution for non-profits and education, with a focus on fundraising, alumni interaction, and donor management.

Main Features:    

– Complete alumni and donor management.

– Fundraising and campaign management tools.

– Advanced analytics and reporting.

– Integration with Blackbaud’s other education-related solutions.

Strengths:    

– Ideal for organizations that prioritise fundraising and alumni connections.

    5.     Slate by Technolutions    

Slate is a CRM developed for higher education, commonly used for admissions and enrolment management, with a heavy emphasis on recruitment and communication.

– Key features include a centralised platform for admissions, recruitment, and enrolment.

– Powerful communication and event management tools.

– Application forms and workflows can be customized.

– Real-time data and analytics.

Strengths:  

– Ideally suited for colleges that prioritise admissions and enrolment processes.

These CRM solutions provide a variety of capabilities suited to the specific needs of universities, such as managing student recruiting and admissions and cultivating long-term relationships with alumni. The choice of CRM is determined by the institution’s specific objectives and goals, such as marketing, student success, or fundraising.

If you’re interested in learning more about how CRM systems like HubSpot can benefit your institution contact Ale for a Free Demo and Q and A session [add his calendar] here