25 best admissions and enrollment management software and tools

What is admissions and enrollment management?

Admissions and enrollment management is an essential process for any educational institution. It involves recruiting, evaluating, and enrolling students, as well as managing their registration, financial aid, and retention.

Why is admissions and enrollment management important?

Admissions and enrollment management plays a vital role in the overall success of an educational institution. Effective management can lead to increased enrollment numbers and improved student success rates.

Admissions and enrollment management goals and objectives

The main goals of admissions and enrollment management include:

• Increasing enrollment numbers.
• Improving the quality of the student body.
• Streamlining the process for both students and staff.

Admissions management

Recruitment and outreach strategies

Effective recruitment and outreach strategies are crucial for attracting the right students to your institution. These strategies should be tailored to the specific needs of your institution and target audience.

Application review and evaluation process

A thorough application review and evaluation process is essential for identifying the best candidates for your institution. This process should include criteria for evaluating applicants and a clear communication plan for applicants.

Enrollment decision and offer management

Enrollment decisions should be made in a timely and efficient manner, and offers should be communicated clearly to applicants.

Communication and follow-up with applicants

Effective communication with applicants is crucial for maintaining a positive relationship with them and ensuring they enroll. This includes timely follow-up and communication throughout the process.

Enrollment management

Student registration and scheduling

Effective student registration and scheduling systems are essential for managing enrollment numbers and ensuring the smooth operation of your institution.

Tuition and financial aid management

Tuition and financial aid management systems are important for ensuring that students can afford to attend your institution and that your institution is financially stable.

Retention and student success initiatives

Retention and student success initiatives are essential for ensuring that students are successful during their time at your institution. This includes communication and engagement with enrolled students. Attendance is one of the earliest signals of a student who needs support, and a student attendance tracker template in Google Sheets is a simple place to start.

Communication and engagement with enrolled students

Effective communication and engagement with enrolled students is essential for maintaining a positive relationship with them and ensuring their success.

Admissions and enrollment management automation

What are admissions and enrollment management software and tools?

Admissions and enrollment management software can provide institutions with the tools they need to manage the process more efficiently. These software packages typically include features such as applicant tracking, communication tools, and financial aid management.

Admissions and enrollment management software benefits

Admissions and enrollment management software can help institutions streamline their processes, increase efficiency, and improve communication with applicants and enrolled students.

Choosing the right admissions and enrollment management software

Choosing the right admissions and enrollment management software for your institution requires careful consideration of your institution’s specific needs, budget, and available resources. Also check how each tool stores and shares student records, since US schools must protect them under FERPA. Our guide to FERPA and student data management covers the basics.

25 top admissions and enrollment management software

Admissions and enrollment management is a critical function for educational institutions, as it is responsible for attracting and enrolling new students. The process can be complex, involving recruitment and outreach, application review and evaluation, enrollment decision and offer management, and ongoing communication and engagement with applicants and enrolled students.

To help streamline this process, many educational institutions are turning to technology and software solutions. In this section, we will take a closer look at the top 25 admissions and enrollment management software options available on the market. These software options offer a range of features to support recruitment, application review, enrollment, student success, and more.

We will provide an overview of each software, including their features, benefits, pricing, and more. That way, you will have a better understanding of the options available and how they can help your institution improve its admissions and enrollment management process.

1. Sheetgo

If you run your admissions and enrollment processes on Google Sheets, Sheetgo, an AI-powered data automation platform, will help you automate your existing workflows without the need to move to a dedicated solution and the headaches and steep costs that come with that. Sheetgo works on top of Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel and moves data between your files automatically, with an AI processor that can transform the data along the way.

Features:

• Split a master spreadsheet into separate files for different collaborators or stakeholders (e.g. with different admissions managers or schools). Here is how to split a Google Sheets file into multiple sheets.
• Collect applications or requests with forms and send them through an approval step before the data reaches your master spreadsheet.
• Integrations with popular tools to connect your tech stack and sync data from different sources, giving you a timely, holistic view of your data.

Benefits:

• Automating data collection and repetitive tasks
• Improving communication with applicants and enrolled students
• Access to a wealth of data and analytics.

2. Salesforce CRM

Salesforce is a popular customer relationship management (CRM) tool widely used in higher education.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Reporting capabilities

Benefits:

• Automating repetitive tasks
• Improving communication with applicants and enrolled students
• Access to a wealth of data and analytics.

Pricing: Pricing is available on a per-user, per-month basis, with pricing varying based on the specific features and customization needed.

3. Ellucian Recruiter

Ellucian Recruiter is higher education institutions’ recruitment and applicant tracking system.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Reporting capabilities

Benefits:

• Improved communication with applicants
• Streamlined recruitment processes
• Access to data and analytics

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

4. Jenzabar EX

Jenzabar EX is a student information system (SIS) that offers a range of features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Registration and scheduling
• Financial aid management

Benefits:

• Streamlined processes for student registration and scheduling
• Improved financial aid management
• Access to data and analytics

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

5. CampusNexus CRM

CampusNexus CRM is a CRM platform specifically designed for the education sector.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Financial aid management
• Student retention management

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with applicants and enrolled students
• Streamlined processes for financial aid management
• Insightful data and analytics for student retention management

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request

6. Colleague by Ellucian

Colleague by Ellucian is a student information system that offers a range of features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Registration and scheduling
• Financial aid management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Streamlined processes for student registration and scheduling
• Improved financial aid management
• Access to data and analytics to support decision making

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request

7. Blackbaud CRM

Blackbaud is a CRM platform specifically designed for the education sector.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Financial aid management

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with applicants and enrolled students
• Access to data and analytics
• Streamlined processes

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

8. Slate CRM

Slate CRM is a recruitment and enrollment management platform for higher education institutions.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Financial aid management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with prospective students
• Streamlined recruitment and enrollment processes
• Improved financial aid management
• Access to data and analytics to support decision making

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

9. Cvent

Cvent is an event management and marketing automation platform that also offers admissions and enrollment management features.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Event management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with prospective students
• Streamlined event management and registration
• Access to data and analytics to support decision-making and recruitment marketing
• Integration with other marketing and recruitment tools

Pricing: Pricing is available on a per-user, per-month basis, with pricing varying based on the specific features and customization needed.

10. Abacus Data Systems

Abacus Data Systems is a student information system that offers a range of features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Registration and scheduling
• Financial aid management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Streamlined processes for student registration and scheduling
• Improved financial aid management
• Access to data and analytics to support decision making
• Integration with other institutional systems

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

11. Campus Management

Campus Management is a student information system that offers a range of features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Registration and scheduling
• Financial aid management
• Retention management

Benefits:

• Streamlined processes for student registration and scheduling
• Improved financial aid management
• Insightful data and analytics for student retention management
• Integration with other institutional systems

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

12. iModules

iModules is a student engagement platform that offers a range of features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Event management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with prospective and enrolled students
• Streamlined event management and registration
• Access to data and analytics to support decision-making and recruitment marketing
• Integration with other marketing and recruitment tools

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

13. Technolutions Slate

Technolutions Slate is a recruitment and enrollment management platform for higher education institutions.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Financial aid management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with prospective students
• Streamlined recruitment and enrollment processes
• Improved financial aid management
• Access to data and analytics to support decision making

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

14. RNL CRM

RNL CRM is a CRM platform specifically designed for the education sector.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Financial aid management
• Student retention management

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with applicants and enrolled students
• Streamlined processes for financial aid management
• Insightful data and analytics for student retention management
• Integration with other institutional systems

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

15. TargetX

TargetX is a CRM platform specifically designed for the higher education sector.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Reporting and analytics
• Recruitment marketing automation

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with prospective students
• Streamlined recruitment processes
• Insightful data and analytics to support decision making
• Recruitment marketing automation to reach and engage with the right students.

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

16. Talisma CRM

Talisma CRM is a customer relationship management platform designed for the education sector.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Reporting and analytics
• Recruitment marketing automation

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with prospective students
• Streamlined recruitment processes
• Insightful data and analytics to support decision making
• Recruitment marketing automation to reach and engage with the right students.

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

17. Campus Cafe

Campus Cafe is a student information system that offers a range of features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Registration and scheduling
• Financial aid management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Streamlined processes for student registration and scheduling
• Improved financial aid management
• Access to data and analytics to support decision making
• Integration with other institutional systems

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

18. eCampusTours

eCampusTours is a virtual campus tour platform that also offers features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Virtual campus tours
• Communication tools
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with prospective students
• Virtual campus tours for students unable to visit in person
• Access to data and analytics to support decision-making and recruitment marketing

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

19. Colleague Student Information System

Colleague Student Information System is a student information system that offers a range of features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Registration and scheduling
• Financial aid management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Streamlined processes for student registration and scheduling
• Improved financial aid management
• Access to data and analytics to support decision making
• Integration with other institutional systems

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

20. Hobsons Connect

Hobsons Connect is a CRM platform specifically designed for the education sector.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Reporting and analytics
• Recruitment marketing automation

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with prospective students
• Streamlined recruitment processes
• Insightful data and analytics to support decision making
• Recruitment marketing automation to reach and engage with the right students.

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

21. The Education Edge

The Education Edge is a student information system that offers a range of features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Registration and scheduling
• Financial aid management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Streamlined processes for student registration and scheduling
• Improved financial aid management
• Access to data and analytics to support decision making
• Integration with other institutional systems

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

22. CampusVUE

CampusVUE is a student information system that offers a range of features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Registration and scheduling
• Financial aid management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Streamlined processes for student registration and scheduling
• Improved financial aid management
• Access to data and analytics to support decision making
• Integration with other institutional systems

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request

23. AdmissionsOptimizer

AdmissionsOptimizer is a CRM platform specifically designed for the education sector.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Reporting and analytics
• Recruitment marketing automation

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with prospective students
• Streamlined recruitment processes
• Insightful data and analytics to support decision making
• Recruitment marketing automation to reach and engage with the right students.

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

24. CampusLogic

CampusLogic is a platform that offers a range of features for financial aid management and student success. It also includes features for admissions and enrollment management.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Financial aid management
• Retention management
• Reporting and analytics

Benefits:

• Improved financial aid management
• Insightful data and analytics for student retention management
• Integration with other institutional systems

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

25. AdmissionsLink

AdmissionsLink is a CRM platform specifically designed for the education sector.

Features:

• Applicant tracking
• Communication tools
• Reporting and analytics
• Recruitment marketing automation

Benefits:

• Improved communication and engagement with prospective students
• Streamlined recruitment processes
• Insightful data and analytics to support decision making
• Recruitment marketing automation to reach and engage with the right students.

Pricing: Pricing is available upon request.

It’s important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and other software options are available. To choose the right one, you must evaluate your institution’s needs and budget. Also, keep in mind that software providers are constantly updating their products, so it’s important to stay informed about the latest developments in the admissions and enrollment management software market.

Admissions and enrollment management software features comparison and evaluation

Each of these software options offers different features and benefits, so it is essential to evaluate which features are most important for your institution and compare them to the features provided by each software option. Some features to consider include applicant tracking, communication tools, financial aid management, and reporting capabilities.

Admissions and enrollment management software case studies

One way to better understand how these software options perform in real-world scenarios is to look at case studies and customer testimonials. These can provide valuable insight into how the software has helped other institutions improve their admissions and enrollment management processes.

Admissions and enrollment management software best practices

Effective recruitment and enrollment strategies include:

• Targeting the right audience.
• Streamlining the application process.
• Providing clear communication throughout the process.

Some tips for simplifying processes and increasing efficiency include:

• Automating repetitive tasks.
• Using technology and software to manage the process.
• Regularly evaluating and improving processes.

Best practices for communication and engagement include:

• Maintaining consistent and clear communication using various communication methods.
• Regularly evaluating and improving communication strategies.

Conclusion

Admissions and enrollment management is an important process for any educational institution. It involves recruiting, evaluating, and enrolling students, as well as managing their registration, financial aid, and retention. Effective management can lead to increased enrollment numbers and improved student success rates.

Technology and automation are becoming increasingly crucial in admissions and enrollment management, and we can expect to see more institutions adopting software and other tools to streamline their processes.

Finally, working with a consultant or vendor specializing in admissions and enrollment management can provide valuable support and guidance for implementing new strategies and tools.