Top 7 CRM Student Engagement Platforms for 2023

Behind the scenes, educational institutions need processes and platforms that help processes run smoothly. Many colleges and universities are playing the balancing act—how to navigate internal systems across departments while still offering a cohesive experience to new and prospective students.

Customer relationship management (CRM) tools can help administrators and staff reduce the manual effort associated with keeping processes afloat. CRM software tools ensure that important student data is transparent, accessible, and usable.

Considering your CRM options this year and looking for one that offers the best in student engagement? Check out this guide for top student engagement platforms in 2023. 

What is CRM Software for Student Engagement?

Customer relationship management (CRM) platforms are used across multiple industries and applications. CRM systems are useful in a higher education context because they help manage and sync communications made to each individual student. These platforms track:

• Marketing activities for prospective students
• New student applications
• Financial aid and deposit information
• Academic contacts
• Personal contact information 
• Post-graduation data

A CRM that’s focused on connecting with students at a personal level is sometimes referred to as a student engagement platform. Student engagement platforms are designed to put relationships with students first. In other words, the intent isn’t just to capture raw data but to use it for the student’s ultimate benefit.

Best CRM Options for Higher Education this Year

Investing in CRM software is a big step, but it’s often the launching point to changing your enrollment and admissions experiences for the better.

In this list below, we’ve rounded up some of the most recommended student engagement platforms this year. Explore the options to see which top CRM platform is right for you.

Element451

Element451 (naturally would be the first on our list) is a modern student engagement platform that’s built to help colleges and universities increase enrollment through modern, digital experiences. By using Element451, schools can deliver strong personalized marketing messages that follow each future through the entire student journey.

Element451’s platform facilitates touchpoints from the first point of contact all the way through graduation. This means that students receive more personalized campaigns that deliver unique experiences from the start. Additionally, this CRM reduces staff effort by providing powerful automations and smart analytics that make it easy to measure real results.

Salesforce Education Cloud

Salesforce is one of the leading CRM platforms in the world, with use cases that span hundreds of industries and applications. The Salesforce Education Cloud is specifically designed for colleges and universities looking to manage student data, generate holistic insights, and drive student success.

The Salesforce Education Cloud is a cloud based platform that delivers insights into admissions, school operations, enrollment, academics, and advancement. The Salesforce community also offers multiple opportunities to connect with industry leaders,to  benefit from advanced training and educational tools, and to take part in special higher ed events throughout the year.

TargetX

TargetX is a trusted CRM solution for higher education within the Salesforce App Exchange. TargetX is recognized for its full lifecycle management features for student records, which help colleges and universities increase enrollment numbers, foster campus community, and generate valuable insights about higher ed engagement tactics.

From a company and community perspective, TargetX offers expansive learning resources for implementation and provides ongoing support for higher education institutions.

Slate

Slate is a higher education CRM management system that provides a comprehensive, all-in-one package for complete student lifecycle management. Slate’s major benefits and features include tools for admissions student success, prospect engagement, and post-graduation or donor relationships.

As a full-suite CRM, Slate provides users with the opportunity to manage all communications to students, including through text, email, and web forms. One of the leading features for Slate is the “Slate Reader,” a fully web-based application for simplified offline experiences that require no plug-ins.

Pathify

Pathify is a centralized student engagement platform that gives users and admins a “one stop shop” experience. Pathify offers a clean and modern user interface with a student portal that’s both easy to use and highly customizable. 

With Pathify’s Engagement Hub, college and university departments can increase their awareness of student engagement, community discussions, student success, and alumni relationships. The entire CRM interface is designed to be mobile, adaptive, and innovative.

Mainstay

Mainstay is an innovative chat-based platform that helps schools engage students through intelligent, automated conversations. Mainstay offers SMS text messaging, web chats, live chat features, and social media messages to deliver a holistic, connected experience.

One of the perks of Mainstay is that it’s designed to close the opportunity gap, making it easier to drive actions with all student populations while saving staff members valuable time and effort. Additionally, Mainstay offers tiered pricing plans with features that help colleges and universities grow and scale. 

True Dialog

TrueDialog is a business communications platform that focuses specifically on SMS text messaging as a solution to student participation. For colleges and universities that aren’t in need of a full student management suite, TrueDialog offers both mass messaging options and personalized, two-way chat features. This type of platform can connect students to the appropriate touch points at any given time.

In the context of higher education applications, TrueDialog is unique in that it allows multiple agents (or departments) the ability to weigh in on the same text messaging thread. This consolidates information for both students and staff, making it easier to connect the dots throughout the enrollment process and stay in touch with answers to important questions. 

Features to Look for in a Student Engagement CRM Platform

When comparing top CRM systems, don’t forget to look for interactive tools that solve specific pain points for educational institutions. Take time to identify the gaps in your student engagement strategies, and select the tool that delivers key features to match. Some of the most important features you should look for in your CRM solution include:

• Options for student personalization 
• Multiple contact methods (and automations to send outreach on autopilot)
• Easy-to-read dashboards for staff and administrators
• Smart measurement tools and performance analytics 
• Fair pricing with fast time to implementation

Remember, your CRM platform should always support your goals and your student enrollment efforts. 

Benefits of Using a CRM for Student Engagement

In the hustle and bustle of enrollment processes, the student experience is sometimes lost. Unfortunately, this is the exact opposite of what schools should offer when it comes to student engagement. A CRM platform that lets students lead the way offers numerous advantages.

• You can offer more timely and relevant content to your students.
• Modern tools help your school keep pace with a digitally savvy generation of learners.
• A single CRM tool can eliminate cumbersome apps and programs in your tech stack.
• Your team can remarket more effectively to students who have abandoned the admissions process but may still be interested in attending.

Put Your Students First this Year

Even though your students may never know which engagement software your school implements, the choice affects them more than they realize. From standard marketing messages to in-depth assistance, a CRM platform guides the way to helping your students reach graduation and beyond.

Isn’t it time to start choosing platforms that put students first? In today’s economy, schools not only need to maintain a competitive edge, but they also have to live up to the expectations of learners who know how to use and leverage digital experiences.

Dive into Element451’s modern student engagement platform for an experience that benefits staff and students alike. 

>> Schedule a free, 30-minute demo of Element451 today. <<