Top CRM Platforms for Universities and schools

Introduction

The higher education sector is rapidly embracing technology to enhance student engagement, retention, and recruitment. The global higher education CRM software market is set to grow from $2.85 billion in 2024 to over $10 billion by 2034, showing the increasing need for efficient tools. CRM platforms help universities and schools streamline admissions, personalize communication, and manage student data effectively. But with so many options available, which CRM platforms are considered the best for universities and schools? In this blog, we’ll explore top solutions designed to meet the unique needs of educational institutions.

Top 10 CRM Platforms for Higher Education

Choosing the right CRM is crucial for universities and schools to manage student relationships, streamline admissions, and boost engagement. Here’s a look at the 10 best higher education CRM platforms that help institutions improve recruitment, retention, and overall student experience.

Creatio

Creatio is a flexible, all-in-one CRM built on a no-code, composable architecture, ideal for higher education institutions managing complex workflows. It supports student experience management, admissions, and administrative operations within a single platform. Creatio combines marketing, sales, and service modules to manage the entire student lifecycle.

Key Features

• No-code workflow and application builder
  
• End-to-end student lifecycle management
  
• AI-powered analytics and insights (Creatio.ai)
  
• 700+ third-party integrations

Pros

• Unified platform for marketing, sales, and service
  
• Extensive customization without coding
  
• Advanced reporting and analytics

Cons

• Initial learning curve due to wide-ranging capabilities

Pricing

The core no-code platform starts at $25 per user/month, with flexible pricing options and a free trial available.

Salesforce Education Cloud

Salesforce Education Cloud is a centralized CRM built on the trusted Salesforce ecosystem, designed to manage student, faculty, and institutional engagement in one platform. It uses Education Data Architecture (EDA) to unify student data and create a seamless experience across departments. When combined with the Edmo plugin, Salesforce becomes even more powerful by adding advanced admissions, enrollment, and student lifecycle management capabilities tailored specifically for higher education.

Key Features

• Education Data Architecture (EDA) for unified data management
  
• Student and faculty engagement tracking
  
• Marketing and recruitment automation
  
• Extensive integrations and third-party applications

Pros

• Robust education-focused data architecture
  
• Large developer, partner, and support ecosystem
  
• Highly scalable and reliable platform

Cons

• Requires skilled resources for implementation and customization

Pricing

Pricing starts at $48 per user/month for Sales and Service. Full student lifecycle coverage typically requires the Enterprise Edition, starting at $81.25 per user/month.

Monday Sales CRM

Monday Sales CRM is a simple, visual platform that helps higher education teams manage admissions, tasks, and collaboration efficiently. Its centralized dashboard allows staff to track leads, applications, and communications in one place. 

Key Features

• Customizable dashboards and workflows
  
• Multiple project and pipeline views
  
• Automated reminders and communication triggers
  
• Mobile access for remote and on-the-go staff
  
• Integrations with common productivity tools

Pros

• Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
  
• 70+ integrations including Slack, Gmail, and Microsoft Teams
  
• Strong collaboration and task management capabilities

Cons

• Limited analytics and advanced customization options

Pricing

Plans start at $36 per month for three users, with a free trial available.

HubSpot CRM

HubSpot CRM is a cost-effective and widely used platform, making it a strong choice for educational institutions with limited budgets. Its free core version helps institutions centralize student data and manage communication across multiple channels.

Key Features

• Contact and lead management
  
• Email tracking and engagement notifications
  
• Marketing automation workflows
  
• Reporting dashboards

Pros

• Free CRM available
  
• Easy-to-use and intuitive interface
  
• Strong marketing and communication tools

Cons

• Advanced analytics and AI features are limited to paid plans
  
• Customization options are relatively limited

Pricing

A free CRM plan is available. Paid plans start at $45 per month (Starter) and go up to $3,800 per month (Enterprise).

Zendesk for Education

Zendesk for Education is primarily designed to support student services and helpdesk operations within educational institutions. It enables schools and universities to manage student inquiries and issues across multiple channels, including email, chat, phone, and social media. 

Key Features

• Multi-channel communication (email, chat, phone, and social media)
  
• Ticketing and case management system
  
• Knowledge base and self-service portals
  
• Automated workflows for faster resolution

Pros

• Faster issue resolution and improved response times
  
• Scalable for institutions of different sizes

Cons

• Mixed reviews regarding Zendesk’s own customer support

Pricing

Pricing starts at $15 per user per month.

Ellucian CRM

Ellucian CRM is a purpose-built platform designed specifically for colleges and universities. It offers comprehensive functionality across admissions, student services, alumni engagement, and fundraising. The platform integrates closely with Ellucian’s ERP and Student Information Systems, ensuring consistent and accurate data across departments. 

Key Features

• Admissions and recruitment management
  
• Student services and engagement tools
  
• Alumni relations and advancement management

Pros

• Extensive education-focused functionality
  
• Strong integration with Ellucian systems

Cons

• User interface can feel outdated and less intuitive

Pricing

Pricing details are available upon request.

Slate

Slate is a CRM specifically designed for admissions and enrollment management, supporting the entire student engagement cycle from inquiry and application to alumni and donor relations. When combined with the Edmo plugin, Slate becomes even more powerful, offering enhanced admissions automation, improved enrollment tracking, and better management of student lifecycle activities.

Key Features

• Application and document management
  
• Multi-channel communications (email, SMS, voice, print)
  
• AI chatbot and live chat support

Pros

• Robust admissions-focused tools
  
• Extensive integrations with SIS platforms

Cons

• Complex and less intuitive interface
  
• Primarily focused on US institutions

Pricing

Available upon request.

TargetX

TargetX is a comprehensive CRM designed for higher education, covering recruitment, retention, enrollment, and student success within a single platform. Its modular design allows institutions to implement only the features they need, such as admissions management, retention programs, or performance analytics.

Key Features

• Recruitment and admissions management
  
• Retention and student success tools
  
• Enrollment management
  
• Advanced analytics and reporting

Pros

• Education-specific data models
  
• Powerful analytics and actionable insights
  
• Customizable dashboards for tracking key metrics

Cons

• User interface can feel outdated

Pricing

Starts at $15 per month.

Element451

Element451 is a CRM designed for higher education, focusing on student admissions, engagement, and personalized experiences. It leverages AI to manage interactions from initial contact to enrollment and payment, powering over 50 million student journeys.

Key Features:

• Admissions and recruitment management
  
• Personalized student engagement with AI
  
• Analytics for enrollment and retention

Pros:

• Personalized 24/7 student engagement
  
• Supports large-scale student journeys
  
• Trusted and highly rated in multiple reports

Cons:

• Higher pricing for smaller institutions

Pricing:

Starts at $600 per user/month  

Zoho CRM

Zoho CRM is a widely used CRM for schools and businesses, offering an easy-to-use and affordable platform. While not specifically designed for education, its Educational Sector feature allows institutions to customize workflows for student management.

Key Features:

• Student and prospect data management
  
• Automation of follow-ups and communications
  
• Customizable dashboards and workflows
  
• Integration with other Zoho and third-party apps

Pros:

• Affordable pricing
  
• Fast implementation and setup
  
• Trusted by millions of businesses worldwide

Cons:

• Not education-specific by default
  
• Advanced customization may require technical skills

Pricing:

Starts at $80/month

Conclusion

Around 45% of universities now use CRM tools to manage leads and engage with students, showing that these systems are no longer optional they’re essential in today’s competitive education environment. Many institutions wonder, which CRM platforms are considered the best for universities and schools? The best tools are those that make communication easy, track data efficiently, and allow for personalized engagement. By picking the right CRM, schools and universities can improve student recruitment, build stronger relationships and increase retention.