Quick Overview
- 1#1: EAB Navigate - Data-driven platform that connects advising, interventions, and analytics to improve student retention and success.
- 2#2: Salesforce Education Cloud - Customizable CRM solution for managing student support, engagement, and lifecycle services.
- 3#3: Ellucian Degree Works - Degree audit and academic planning tool that supports advising and student progress tracking.
- 4#4: Watermark Student Success - Early alert system with analytics for student interventions and success monitoring.
- 5#5: Workday Student - Cloud-based student system integrating advising, services, and academic support.
- 6#6: Symplicity - Platform for student affairs case management, engagement, and career support.
- 7#7: Anthology Student - Comprehensive student management with tools for support, financial aid, and retention.
- 8#8: Civitas Learning Illume - AI-powered analytics platform for predicting and enhancing student outcomes.
- 9#9: Element451 - AI-driven CRM for personalized student recruitment, engagement, and retention.
- 10#10: Technolutions Slate - Flexible CRM for admissions, enrollment management, and ongoing student support.
Tools were selected based on feature robustness, user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring they deliver measurable impact across student lifecycle management, analytics, and support.
Comparison Table
Student support software plays a vital role in enhancing academic engagement and institutional efficiency, with a diverse range of tools tailored to diverse educational needs. This comparison table examines leading platforms—including EAB Navigate, Salesforce Education Cloud, Ellucian Degree Works, Watermark Student Success, Workday Student, and more—outlining their key features, workflows, and strengths. Readers will learn to identify the best fit for their institution’s goals and student support priorities.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EAB Navigate Data-driven platform that connects advising, interventions, and analytics to improve student retention and success. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Salesforce Education Cloud Customizable CRM solution for managing student support, engagement, and lifecycle services. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.7/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 3 | Ellucian Degree Works Degree audit and academic planning tool that supports advising and student progress tracking. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Watermark Student Success Early alert system with analytics for student interventions and success monitoring. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | Workday Student Cloud-based student system integrating advising, services, and academic support. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | Symplicity Platform for student affairs case management, engagement, and career support. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Anthology Student Comprehensive student management with tools for support, financial aid, and retention. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Civitas Learning Illume AI-powered analytics platform for predicting and enhancing student outcomes. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | Element451 AI-driven CRM for personalized student recruitment, engagement, and retention. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Technolutions Slate Flexible CRM for admissions, enrollment management, and ongoing student support. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.4/10 |
Data-driven platform that connects advising, interventions, and analytics to improve student retention and success.
Customizable CRM solution for managing student support, engagement, and lifecycle services.
Degree audit and academic planning tool that supports advising and student progress tracking.
Early alert system with analytics for student interventions and success monitoring.
Cloud-based student system integrating advising, services, and academic support.
Platform for student affairs case management, engagement, and career support.
Comprehensive student management with tools for support, financial aid, and retention.
AI-powered analytics platform for predicting and enhancing student outcomes.
AI-driven CRM for personalized student recruitment, engagement, and retention.
Flexible CRM for admissions, enrollment management, and ongoing student support.
EAB Navigate
enterpriseData-driven platform that connects advising, interventions, and analytics to improve student retention and success.
AI-powered predictive risk modeling that forecasts student attrition with high accuracy and triggers automated early alerts.
EAB Navigate is a leading student success platform for higher education institutions, leveraging AI-driven analytics to identify at-risk students and facilitate proactive interventions. It integrates seamlessly with student information systems (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), and other campus tools to provide a 360-degree view of student data, including academic progress, engagement, and behavioral indicators. Advisors use its case management, appointment scheduling, degree auditing, and communication tools to deliver personalized support, ultimately boosting retention and graduation rates.
Pros
- Powerful predictive analytics and early alert system for proactive student interventions
- Extensive integrations with SIS, CRM, and LMS for unified data insights
- Robust case management and progress tracking tools that scale for large institutions
Cons
- High implementation costs and complexity requiring significant IT resources
- Steep learning curve for non-technical staff
- Custom pricing can be prohibitive for smaller colleges
Best For
Large universities and community colleges prioritizing data-driven student retention and scalable support services.
Pricing
Enterprise-level custom pricing, typically $50-$150 per student annually, with minimums starting at $100,000+ for mid-sized institutions.
Salesforce Education Cloud
enterpriseCustomizable CRM solution for managing student support, engagement, and lifecycle services.
Einstein AI for predictive student success insights and automated intervention recommendations
Salesforce Education Cloud is a robust CRM platform tailored for higher education, offering comprehensive student support through case management, advising workflows, intervention tracking, and personalized engagement tools. It integrates Service Cloud capabilities to handle inquiries, mental health support, academic advising, and retention strategies via omnichannel communication. Leveraging AI-powered analytics, it enables proactive interventions to improve student success and outcomes.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows and dashboards for tailored student support
- Advanced AI analytics (Einstein) for predictive retention and risk identification
- Seamless integration with other Salesforce tools and third-party edtech apps
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring extensive training and admin expertise
- High implementation costs and ongoing subscription fees
- Overly complex for small institutions or simple support needs
Best For
Large universities and colleges needing scalable, enterprise-grade student support with deep CRM integration.
Pricing
Enterprise pricing starts at ~$75/user/month (billed annually), plus setup fees of $50K+ and add-ons for AI features.
Ellucian Degree Works
enterpriseDegree audit and academic planning tool that supports advising and student progress tracking.
Dynamic degree worksheets that visually map requirements and update instantly with course registrations
Ellucian Degree Works is a leading degree audit and academic planning platform tailored for higher education institutions. It offers students interactive worksheets to track progress toward degree completion, 'what-if' scenario modeling for alternative paths, and tools for advisors to provide personalized guidance. The software integrates deeply with student information systems like Ellucian Banner, helping reduce time-to-degree and boost retention.
Pros
- Precise, real-time degree auditing and progress tracking
- Powerful 'what-if' analysis for flexible planning
- Strong integration with SIS platforms like Banner and Colleague
Cons
- Steep learning curve for administrators during setup
- High enterprise-level costs
- Occasional lags with very large student populations
Best For
Mid-to-large universities prioritizing structured academic advising and graduation efficiency.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on institution size and modules; annual subscriptions often start at $50,000+.
Watermark Student Success
enterpriseEarly alert system with analytics for student interventions and success monitoring.
Predictive at-risk modeling that proactively identifies students needing support using AI-driven insights
Watermark Student Success is a comprehensive platform from Watermark Insights designed to drive student retention and outcomes in higher education. It centralizes data from SIS, LMS, and other sources to enable early alerts, advising workflows, and predictive analytics for at-risk students. The tool supports academic advising, career services, and co-curricular tracking, helping institutions intervene proactively to boost graduation rates.
Pros
- Powerful predictive analytics and real-time dashboards for student insights
- Seamless integrations with major SIS and LMS systems like Canvas and Banner
- Customizable workflows for advising and early interventions
Cons
- Steep learning curve for full implementation and customization
- Pricing can be prohibitive for smaller institutions
- Requires significant IT resources for setup and maintenance
Best For
Medium to large universities and colleges focused on data-driven student retention strategies.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $20,000+ annually based on institution size and modules selected.
Workday Student
enterpriseCloud-based student system integrating advising, services, and academic support.
AI-powered Student Success Analytics for predictive retention insights and proactive advising
Workday Student is a cloud-based enterprise platform designed for higher education, managing the full student lifecycle from admissions and enrollment to advising, financial aid, and alumni engagement. It excels in student support through integrated tools for case management, success analytics, retention strategies, and personalized advising workflows. Seamlessly connecting with Workday's HR and finance modules, it provides a unified view of student data to enhance support services and outcomes.
Pros
- Comprehensive integration across student, HR, and finance systems for holistic support
- Advanced analytics and AI-driven insights for student retention and success
- Configurable workflows and mobile access for advisors and students
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex implementation for non-technical users
- High cost prohibitive for smaller institutions
- Limited customization without developer involvement
Best For
Large universities and colleges needing an enterprise-grade, integrated system for scalable student support.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on student enrollment; typically $50-$200 per student/year, with minimums in the six figures annually—contact sales for quotes.
Symplicity
specializedPlatform for student affairs case management, engagement, and career support.
Integrated case management that unifies advising, conduct, and wellness tracking in one platform with role-based access and automated workflows
Symplicity is a comprehensive higher education platform specializing in student support through its CSM (Case Service Management) module, which handles advising, conduct, wellness, and student affairs case tracking. It enables centralized management of student interactions, appointments, workflows, and reporting to improve retention and support outcomes. The software integrates seamlessly with other Symplicity tools like career services and housing for a holistic student experience.
Pros
- Robust case management with customizable workflows and automation
- Strong integrations across student services modules
- Advanced reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users and admins
- High cost may not suit smaller institutions
- Customization often requires vendor support
Best For
Mid-to-large universities and colleges seeking an integrated platform for student affairs and support teams.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via quote; typically annual subscriptions starting at $10,000+ based on institution size and modules.
Anthology Student
enterpriseComprehensive student management with tools for support, financial aid, and retention.
Predictive analytics engine that flags at-risk students early with actionable retention recommendations
Anthology Student is a comprehensive student success platform from Anthology (formerly Blackboard) that centralizes student support services for higher education institutions. It enables advisors and support staff to manage cases, schedule appointments, send targeted communications, and use analytics for early alerts and retention strategies. The tool provides a 360-degree view of student data, integrating with LMS systems to facilitate proactive interventions and improve outcomes.
Pros
- Robust analytics and predictive insights for identifying at-risk students
- Seamless integration with Blackboard LMS and other Anthology tools
- Comprehensive case management and communication workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve for full utilization
- High implementation and customization costs
- Interface can feel dated compared to modern SaaS alternatives
Best For
Mid-to-large higher education institutions with existing Anthology ecosystems seeking an integrated student retention and support solution.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via quote, typically annual subscription starting at $10-20 per student FTE depending on modules and institution size.
Civitas Learning Illume
specializedAI-powered analytics platform for predicting and enhancing student outcomes.
Advanced predictive modeling that benchmarks student performance against peer institutions for hyper-targeted interventions
Civitas Learning Illume is a comprehensive analytics platform tailored for higher education institutions to enhance student retention and success through data-driven insights. It aggregates data from student information systems, learning management systems, and other sources to deliver predictive models that identify at-risk students early. The platform empowers advisors and administrators with actionable dashboards, benchmarks, and intervention tools to support personalized student outreach and improve outcomes.
Pros
- Powerful predictive analytics for early risk identification
- Seamless integration with major SIS and LMS platforms
- Proven track record in improving retention rates at scale
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- High implementation and customization costs
- Limited flexibility for smaller institutions
Best For
Large universities and colleges with dedicated analytics teams focused on scaling student success interventions.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on institution size; typically starts at $50,000+ annually with additional fees for implementation.
Element451
specializedAI-driven CRM for personalized student recruitment, engagement, and retention.
AI Copilot for intelligent, context-aware conversations that provide proactive student support and reduce staff workload
Element451 is an AI-powered CRM platform tailored for higher education, focusing on student recruitment, enrollment, engagement, and support throughout the student lifecycle. It provides tools like intelligent chatbots, personalized messaging, workflow automation, and analytics to improve retention and student success. The platform emphasizes proactive support through data-driven insights and mobile accessibility for both students and staff.
Pros
- AI-driven personalization and chatbots for 24/7 student support
- Comprehensive lifecycle management from recruitment to alumni
- Robust analytics for retention and engagement insights
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for smaller institutions
- Initial setup and customization require significant time
- Fewer native integrations than some enterprise competitors
Best For
Mid-sized colleges and universities seeking an integrated AI-enhanced platform for student support and retention.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on institution size and modules; typically starts at $10,000+ annually with per-student fees.
Technolutions Slate
enterpriseFlexible CRM for admissions, enrollment management, and ongoing student support.
No-code configurator for building dynamic, institution-specific student advising and intervention workflows
Technolutions Slate is a robust CRM platform primarily for higher education, extending into student support through modules for advising, communication, retention tracking, and student portals. It enables personalized student engagement, workflow automation, and analytics to monitor academic progress and intervene early for at-risk students. While excels in integration across admissions to alumni, its student support features leverage the same customizable interface for case management and resource delivery.
Pros
- Highly customizable workflows and portals tailored to student needs
- Powerful analytics for retention and engagement insights
- Seamless integration with admissions and financial aid systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring dedicated configuration expertise
- High implementation and ongoing costs
- Overkill for institutions needing only basic support tools
Best For
Mid-to-large higher education institutions wanting an integrated CRM that combines student support with full enrollment management.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing based on modules and institution size; typically $50,000-$150,000+ annually plus implementation fees.
Conclusion
The range of reviewed tools—from data-driven platforms and AI analytics to CRM and case management systems—cater to diverse student support needs. Leading this lineup, EAB Navigate excels with its integration of advising, interventions, and analytics, boosting retention. Salesforce Education Cloud and Ellucian Degree Works follow, offering customizable CRM features and robust academic planning tools, respectively, as excellent alternatives for specific priorities.
Explore EAB Navigate to transform student support: connect advising, leverage insights, and drive success—your path to enhanced student experiences starts here.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.