Quick Overview
- 1#1: PowerSchool - Comprehensive K-12 student information system that manages enrollment, registration, attendance, and grading seamlessly.
- 2#2: Infinite Campus - Cloud-based SIS providing robust enrollment management, parent portals, and real-time student data insights.
- 3#3: Slate by Technolutions - Powerful CRM platform for higher education admissions and enrollment with customizable workflows and automation.
- 4#4: Ellucian Banner - Enterprise resource planning solution for higher ed handling student enrollment, financial aid, and records.
- 5#5: Blackbaud Education Management - Integrated platform for K-12 schools offering enrollment, fundraising, and financial management tools.
- 6#6: Workday Student - Cloud-based system for higher education managing the full student lifecycle from enrollment to alumni.
- 7#7: Salesforce Education Cloud - CRM tailored for education to optimize enrollment marketing, admissions, and student success.
- 8#8: Alma SIS - Modern K-12 student information system with intuitive enrollment, scheduling, and analytics features.
- 9#9: Skyward - Student management suite for K-12 districts focusing on enrollment, HR, and finance integration.
- 10#10: Veracross - All-in-one platform for independent schools streamlining enrollment, billing, and advancement.
We evaluated these tools based on feature depth, reliability, ease of use, and value, ensuring a balanced focus on meeting the diverse needs of schools, districts, and higher education providers.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines popular enrollment software tools, including PowerSchool, Infinite Campus, Slate by Technolutions, Ellucian Banner, Blackbaud Education Management, and additional platforms, to guide users in identifying the right fit for their institution's needs. It explores key features, integration capabilities, and usability, helping readers streamline admissions, registration, and student management processes.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PowerSchool Comprehensive K-12 student information system that manages enrollment, registration, attendance, and grading seamlessly. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | Infinite Campus Cloud-based SIS providing robust enrollment management, parent portals, and real-time student data insights. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 3 | Slate by Technolutions Powerful CRM platform for higher education admissions and enrollment with customizable workflows and automation. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Ellucian Banner Enterprise resource planning solution for higher ed handling student enrollment, financial aid, and records. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.1/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 5 | Blackbaud Education Management Integrated platform for K-12 schools offering enrollment, fundraising, and financial management tools. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 6 | Workday Student Cloud-based system for higher education managing the full student lifecycle from enrollment to alumni. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Salesforce Education Cloud CRM tailored for education to optimize enrollment marketing, admissions, and student success. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Alma SIS Modern K-12 student information system with intuitive enrollment, scheduling, and analytics features. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Skyward Student management suite for K-12 districts focusing on enrollment, HR, and finance integration. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Veracross All-in-one platform for independent schools streamlining enrollment, billing, and advancement. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
Comprehensive K-12 student information system that manages enrollment, registration, attendance, and grading seamlessly.
Cloud-based SIS providing robust enrollment management, parent portals, and real-time student data insights.
Powerful CRM platform for higher education admissions and enrollment with customizable workflows and automation.
Enterprise resource planning solution for higher ed handling student enrollment, financial aid, and records.
Integrated platform for K-12 schools offering enrollment, fundraising, and financial management tools.
Cloud-based system for higher education managing the full student lifecycle from enrollment to alumni.
CRM tailored for education to optimize enrollment marketing, admissions, and student success.
Modern K-12 student information system with intuitive enrollment, scheduling, and analytics features.
Student management suite for K-12 districts focusing on enrollment, HR, and finance integration.
All-in-one platform for independent schools streamlining enrollment, billing, and advancement.
PowerSchool
enterpriseComprehensive K-12 student information system that manages enrollment, registration, attendance, and grading seamlessly.
Unified Enrollment platform with end-to-end workflow automation, including online forms, document management, e-signatures, and real-time integration with SIS data.
PowerSchool is a leading Student Information System (SIS) with robust enrollment capabilities tailored for K-12 schools and districts, streamlining the entire enrollment process from online applications to registration and document collection. It features a parent portal for self-service submission of forms, electronic signatures, and payments, while integrating seamlessly with core SIS functions like attendance, grading, and scheduling. This unified platform ensures accurate data management and compliance with educational standards, reducing administrative workload significantly.
Pros
- Seamless integration with full SIS ecosystem for unified data management
- Customizable workflows and parent self-service portal
- Strong security, compliance (FERPA, etc.), and scalability for large districts
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- High cost may not suit small schools
- Customization can require professional services
Best For
Large K-12 school districts needing an integrated, enterprise-grade enrollment solution within a comprehensive SIS.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically subscription per student (around $10-20/student/year) plus implementation fees.
Infinite Campus
enterpriseCloud-based SIS providing robust enrollment management, parent portals, and real-time student data insights.
Unified single-database system ensuring real-time data sync across enrollment, portals, and analytics without silos.
Infinite Campus is a comprehensive K-12 student information system (SIS) that excels in enrollment management, providing tools for online registration, demographic data collection, document verification, and household management. It integrates enrollment seamlessly with attendance, grading, scheduling, and reporting modules for a holistic view of student data. Designed for scalability, it supports district-wide deployment with parent/student portals and mobile access for real-time updates.
Pros
- Robust enrollment tools including online forms, workflow automation, and compliance checks
- Extensive integrations with LMS, assessment tools, and state reporting systems
- Strong data security with FERPA compliance and single-database architecture for accuracy
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to dense interface and heavy customization needs
- Implementation timelines can be lengthy for large districts
- Pricing scales with size, potentially expensive for smaller schools
Best For
Mid-to-large K-12 school districts requiring a scalable, all-in-one SIS with advanced enrollment capabilities.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on student count and district size; typically annual subscriptions starting at $10-20 per student.
Slate by Technolutions
enterprisePowerful CRM platform for higher education admissions and enrollment with customizable workflows and automation.
Slate Designer: a no-code tool for creating pixel-perfect, dynamic application experiences and personalized communications.
Slate by Technolutions is a robust CRM platform tailored for higher education, streamlining enrollment management from inquiry to matriculation and beyond. It provides configurable tools for admissions, financial aid, communications, and analytics, enabling data-driven decisions and personalized student experiences. Institutions leverage Slate for building custom application portals, automating workflows, and integrating with student information systems.
Pros
- Highly customizable no-code designer for portals and communications
- Advanced analytics and reporting for enrollment insights
- Seamless integrations with SIS, email, and third-party tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring technical expertise
- Complex initial setup and ongoing maintenance
- Premium pricing not ideal for small institutions
Best For
Mid-to-large higher education institutions with dedicated enrollment and IT teams needing maximum customization.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically $100,000+ annually based on institution size, volume, and modules.
Ellucian Banner
enterpriseEnterprise resource planning solution for higher ed handling student enrollment, financial aid, and records.
Advanced enrollment workflow engine with automated waitlisting, prerequisite checking, and dynamic scheduling optimization
Ellucian Banner is a comprehensive ERP system tailored for higher education, serving as a robust Student Information System (SIS) that handles enrollment management, admissions, registration, financial aid, and student lifecycle processes. It integrates seamlessly with other administrative modules like finance and HR, providing a centralized platform for universities to manage large-scale student data. Banner supports everything from recruitment pipelines to degree auditing and alumni tracking, making it a staple for traditional higher ed institutions.
Pros
- Extensive customization for complex higher ed workflows
- Proven scalability for large enrollments (100K+ students)
- Deep integration across SIS, finance, and HR modules
Cons
- Outdated, clunky interface requiring extensive training
- Lengthy and costly implementation (often 1-2 years)
- High ongoing maintenance and licensing fees
Best For
Large public universities and colleges needing a battle-tested, all-in-one ERP for high-volume enrollment management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $500K+ annually for mid-sized institutions plus multi-million-dollar implementation costs.
Blackbaud Education Management
enterpriseIntegrated platform for K-12 schools offering enrollment, fundraising, and financial management tools.
Seamless end-to-end enrollment pipeline management integrated with Blackbaud's full education ecosystem for real-time student lifecycle tracking
Blackbaud Education Management is a robust, enterprise-grade platform tailored for K-12 private and independent schools, streamlining the entire enrollment lifecycle from inquiry management to application processing, financial aid, and matriculation. It integrates seamlessly with Blackbaud's broader suite, including student information systems (SIS), fundraising, and financial tools, providing a unified data ecosystem. The software offers customizable workflows, advanced reporting, and analytics to optimize enrollment strategies and boost yield rates.
Pros
- Comprehensive integration with SIS, CRM, and fundraising modules for holistic student management
- Powerful analytics and reporting tools for enrollment forecasting and pipeline management
- Highly customizable workflows to match unique school admissions processes
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup requiring significant training
- High cost that may not suit smaller schools or budgets
- Occasional performance lags with large datasets despite robust scalability
Best For
Mid-to-large independent K-12 schools needing an integrated enrollment solution tied to broader administrative and fundraising systems.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on school size and modules; typically starts at $10,000–$50,000+ annually with implementation fees.
Workday Student
enterpriseCloud-based system for higher education managing the full student lifecycle from enrollment to alumni.
Seamless integration with Workday's finance and HR modules for real-time, cross-functional student data insights
Workday Student is a comprehensive cloud-based student information system (SIS) tailored for higher education institutions, managing the full student lifecycle from admissions and enrollment to advising, registration, financial aid, and alumni relations. It integrates seamlessly with Workday's HCM and Financial Management suites, providing a unified data platform for real-time insights and streamlined operations. The solution leverages AI-driven tools for enrollment forecasting, personalized student experiences, and analytics to support data-informed decision-making.
Pros
- Unified architecture integrating student data with HR and finance for holistic visibility
- Robust AI capabilities for enrollment planning and student success predictions
- Scalable for large institutions with strong mobile and self-service portals
Cons
- Complex and lengthy implementation process often requiring consultants
- High enterprise-level pricing not suitable for small schools
- Steep learning curve for end-users despite intuitive interfaces
Best For
Large universities and colleges needing an integrated ERP system for complex enrollment management and cross-functional operations.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing based on modules and institution size, typically starting at $100,000+ annually for mid-to-large deployments.
Salesforce Education Cloud
enterpriseCRM tailored for education to optimize enrollment marketing, admissions, and student success.
Einstein AI for predictive enrollment forecasting and personalized student engagement
Salesforce Education Cloud is a robust CRM platform tailored for higher education, enabling institutions to manage the entire student lifecycle from recruitment to alumni engagement. For enrollment specifically, it offers tools for application processing, admissions workflows, prospect nurturing, and yield management through customizable pipelines and automation. Its data-driven approach provides real-time insights to optimize enrollment strategies and personalize student interactions.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows for complex enrollment processes
- Powerful analytics and AI-driven insights for recruitment and yield
- Seamless integration with Salesforce ecosystem and third-party tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- High licensing and implementation costs
- Overkill for smaller institutions without dedicated IT resources
Best For
Large universities and colleges requiring a scalable, enterprise-grade CRM for integrated enrollment management across the student journey.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; Education Cloud licenses start at ~$100/user/month, with significant additional costs for implementation, customization, and add-ons.
Alma SIS
enterpriseModern K-12 student information system with intuitive enrollment, scheduling, and analytics features.
Digital Enrollment Packets for trackable, customizable onboarding with e-signatures and automated reminders
Alma SIS is a cloud-based Student Information System tailored for K-12 schools, offering robust enrollment management tools including online application portals, automated workflows, and document collection. It streamlines the entire enrollment process from inquiries and applications to onboarding and registration, with real-time visibility for administrators. Integrated with grading, attendance, and communication features, Alma provides a unified platform for school operations.
Pros
- Intuitive, modern interface with mobile accessibility
- Seamless integration with other edtech tools
- Customizable enrollment workflows and parent portals
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller schools
- Some advanced reporting requires add-ons
- Initial setup may involve data migration challenges
Best For
Mid-sized K-12 schools seeking an all-in-one SIS with strong enrollment automation and parent engagement features.
Pricing
Quote-based, typically $15-$25 per student per year depending on school size and modules.
Skyward
enterpriseStudent management suite for K-12 districts focusing on enrollment, HR, and finance integration.
Family Access Portal for real-time parent visibility into enrollment, fees, grades, and attendance
Skyward is a robust student information system (SIS) tailored for K-12 schools, excelling in enrollment management with features like online registration, demographic tracking, and automated scheduling. It supports administrators in streamlining admissions, transfers, and withdrawals while providing secure portals for parents and students to access enrollment status and documents. The platform integrates with district tools for comprehensive data management, making it a reliable choice for handling enrollment at scale.
Pros
- Comprehensive enrollment tools including online forms and workflow automation
- Strong parent and student portals for self-service access
- Reliable integration with grading, attendance, and finance systems
Cons
- User interface appears dated and less intuitive for new users
- Steep learning curve during initial setup and training
- Custom pricing can be costly for smaller schools or districts
Best For
Mid-to-large K-12 school districts needing an integrated SIS with dependable enrollment management capabilities.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $8-15 per student annually based on district size, modules, and hosting options.
Veracross
enterpriseAll-in-one platform for independent schools streamlining enrollment, billing, and advancement.
Seamless inquiry-to-matriculation pipeline with built-in financial aid integration and automated decision engines
Veracross is a comprehensive ERP platform tailored for independent K-12 schools, offering robust enrollment management tools that handle everything from initial inquiries and online applications to decision notifications, contracts, and financial aid processing. It features customizable portals for families, automated workflows, and seamless integration with student information systems for a unified data experience. This solution excels in streamlining the full enrollment lifecycle while supporting re-enrollment and waitlist management.
Pros
- All-in-one integration with SIS, fundraising, and academics eliminates data silos
- Highly customizable workflows and parent/student portals enhance user experience
- Advanced reporting and analytics for enrollment forecasting and ROI tracking
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and customization options
- Lengthy and costly implementation process, often 6-12 months
- Pricing is premium and scales with school size, less ideal for very small schools
Best For
Mid-to-large independent K-12 schools seeking a fully integrated ERP with powerful enrollment management.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $15,000-$50,000+ annually depending on school size, student count, and modules selected.
Conclusion
The top enrollment tools reviewed cater to diverse needs, with PowerSchool leading as the most comprehensive K-12 solution, seamlessly managing enrollment and beyond. Infinite Campus stands out for its cloud-based flexibility and real-time data insights, perfect for institutions prioritizing accessibility, while Slate by Technolutions excels in higher education, offering customizable automation to enhance admissions workflows. Each tool has its strengths, but PowerSchool emerges as the top choice for its all-in-one capabilities.
Begin optimizing your enrollment process by exploring PowerSchool—its robust features and user-friendly design make it a standout for schools seeking efficiency and student success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison