You and I are walking through your admissions office, and I ask: “What happens after a student fills out a form on your website?” You pause, then say, “Well, it depends…” That’s exactly where a CRM in higher education becomes essential—not just as a tool, but as a source of tactics and strategies.
CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management, but in higher ed, it’s better described as “Student Relationship Management.” It’s the system that connects your marketing outreach, admissions process, lead follow-up, event management, and even credit evaluations into a single, coordinated workflow.
A modern CRM doesn’t just store data—it automates smart action. For example, when a student completes an interest form for the psychology program, your CRM should immediately send a program-specific email, trigger a counselor assignment, and log the student’s next activity—whether they opened the email or started an application.
The best CRMs for higher education—like Slate or Salesforce—are tailored for enrollment cycles. They support segmentation by student type, build drip campaigns based on behavior, and help you track conversions across every funnel stage.
Real-World Impact of CRM on Enrollment
Let me share a story. One university using DegreeSight’s INBOUND had trouble following up on leads generated through credit evaluation. Once we connected INBOUND to their CRM, those leads flowed directly into their marketing automation sequence.
Students who uploaded transcripts got an immediate preview of how their credits transferred and a counselor follow-up within hours. The result? A 27% increase in completed applications.
That’s the power of CRM done right—it’s not just tech. It’s timing, messaging, and trust, all automated.
Another key benefit? Visibility. Your leadership team should be able to log into your CRM and see, in real time, how many leads came from digital ads, how many transcripts were submitted this week, or which counselors are converting the most students.
Of course, CRM success depends on implementation. This is where DegreeSight Consulting often helps—by mapping your workflows, configuring automation, and training your staff so it sticks.
From Database to Digital Teammate
A CRM in higher education shouldn’t feel like a database. It should feel like a digital teammate—intuitive, fast, and relentlessly student-centered.
If you’re ready to activate your CRM to drive enrollment outcomes, start with a Transfer Friendliness Assessment. We’ll show you where the handoffs are breaking—and how to fix them.
