So, you’re on the market searching for a Student Information System (SIS) for your higher ed institution. Maybe you’re looking to streamline enrollment processes or improve communication between staff and students. Either way, it’s time to do some research. But who has time to sift through countless options to find the perfect fit?
That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide to the top 10 SIS solutions available for higher education. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons of the leading systems, helping you make an informed decision.
Let’s dive in and find the SIS that’s right for you.
#1 Classter – Best All-in-One SIS for Higher Ed
Classter is a robust, all-in-one Student Information System designed to streamline every aspect of higher education. Positioned as the top contender in the market, Classter offers a comprehensive solution that covers everything from admissions and academics to communication and reporting.
Pros:
✅ All-in-one platform: Manages admissions, academic processes, and communication in a single system.
✅ Highly customizable: Suitable for institutions of all sizes, allowing for tailored configurations.
✅ Seamless integration: Works well with Learning Management Systems (LMS), financial tools, and other third-party apps.
✅ User-friendly interface: Easy to navigate for both staff and students, with mobile access for on-the-go use.
✅ Flexible pricing: Scalable pricing models that adapt to different institution types and sizes.
✅ Outstanding support: Offers excellent training resources and ongoing support to ensure smooth implementation and use.
Cons:
❌ Can occasionally experience slower performance during high usage periods.
#2 PowerSchool
PowerSchool is a solid choice for K12 schools. It offers a wide range of tools that cover everything from attendance tracking to grading and communication.
Pros:
✅ Comprehensive K12 focus: Tailored features designed specifically for K12 schools, making it a great fit for managing younger student populations.
✅ Wide range of features: Covers many different features from grading, attendance, and scheduling to communication and analytics.
✅ Mobile-friendly: Offers an easy-to-use mobile app, making it convenient for parents and staff to stay connected.
Cons:
❌ PowerSchool is mainly focused on K12, and its features may not be as robust for larger higher education institutions.
❌ Some users find the initial setup and customization challenging, requiring significant time and effort.
❌ Can be on the expensive side, particularly for smaller institutions with limited budgets.
#3 Ellucian
Ellucian is a well-known name in the higher education space, offering robust Student Information Systems with strong data management.
Pros:
✅ Higher ed tools: Designed with colleges and universities in mind, with some features that meet their needs.
✅Data analytics: Offers strong reporting and data management tools for informed decision-making.
✅ Customizable: Allows institutions to adapt the system to their specific workflows.
Cons:
❌ Due to its complexity, it can take time for staff to fully understand and use the system.
❌ Pricing can be on the higher end, which might not suit smaller institutions.
❌ Users often report experiencing reliability issues with Ellucian’s products, including system crashes, slow performance, and downtime.
#4 Classe365
Classe365 is a cloud-based SIS that’s built for K12 and higher education institutions in mind.
Pros:
✅ Cloud-based: Accessible anywhere with an internet connection, perfect for remote management.
✅ Modular design: Schools can choose which features to use, making it highly customizable.
✅ Easy setup: Simple, intuitive interface makes setup and navigation smooth.
Cons:
❌ May not offer the depth of functionality needed by larger institutions.
❌ Some users report slower customer service response times.
❌Limitations in terms of customization. Certain functions are fixed without the flexibility to tailor them to specific needs.
#5 Gradelink
Gradelink is an intuitive Student Information System that primarily serves K12 schools but is also adaptable for higher education institutions.
Pros:
✅ User-friendly interface: Easy to navigate, making it accessible for staff and students alike.
✅ Time-saving features: Automates attendance, grading, and reporting, freeing up valuable time for educators.
✅Communication tools: Facilitates communication between teachers, students, and parents through integrated messaging.
✅ Mobile-friendly: Accessible on various devices, ensuring flexibility for users.
Cons:
❌ While great for K12, it may lack some advanced features needed by larger higher education institutions.
❌ Lacks some features that other SISs provide, such as batch email capabilities and instant messaging between teachers and parents.
❌ Users wish for more flexibility in changing the order which classes appear on screens and customizing grades and divisions.
#6 Engage
Engage by Education Horizons is good for keeping everyone connected. Built to enhance communication and support students.
Pros:
✅ Community-driven features: Encourages collaboration among students, staff, and parents, enhancing the educational experience.
✅ User-friendly interface: Easy to navigate, making it accessible for all users, regardless of tech-savviness.
✅ Customizable communication tools: Tailor messaging and notifications to meet the unique needs of your institution.
Cons:
❌ May not fully meet the needs of larger institutions with complex requirements.
❌While it has solid features, its analytics may not be as robust as some competitors.
❌ Some smaller institutions may find it a bit on the pricier side compared to other SIS options.
#7 Skyward
Skyward is a Student Information System that is built for K12 schools but can be helpful to smaller higher education institutions.
Pros:
✅ Extensive Reporting: Generate detailed reports for various student categories effortlessly.
✅ Centralized Data: Store all student info, schedules, and paperwork in one place for easy access.
✅ Integration: Combines multiple features like attendance and grading seamlessly.
✅ Mass Communication: Allows mass emailing to parents with attachments, like report cards
Cons:
❌ Requires training to navigate effectively; not very intuitive.
❌ Pulling specific data can be confusing and often involves trial and error.
❌ Logging in and finding specific areas can take longer than expected.
❌ Searching for students is restricted to last names, which can hinder efficiency.
#8 Infinite Campus
Infinite Campus offers schools a powerful platform for managing student data and communication.
Pros:
✅ Real-Time Updates: Students and parents can check grades and attendance anytime, promoting transparency and engagement.
✅ Customizable Reports: Generate various reports to analyze student performance and behavior, allowing for better tracking and interventions.
✅ Multi-Class Assignment Entry: Quickly enter assignments for multiple classes, saving time and effort for teachers.
Cons:
❌ The main menu can be confusing, making it hard to find specific student or grade information quickly.
❌ Users occasionally lose access to student info, requiring them to log out and back in, which disrupts workflow.
❌ The interface can feel overwhelming with too much information displayed, making it difficult to focus on specific tasks.
❌ Searching for students can be cumbersome without more flexible filtering options.
#9 Illuminate Education
Illuminate Education offers a data-focused SIS that empowers schools to make informed decisions about student performance and learning outcomes.
Pros:
✅ Data-sharing tools: Illuminate makes it simple to share important data with colleagues, fostering collaboration among staff.
✅ Assessment creation: The platform allows teachers to create and administer assessments, including setting testing windows and locking down browsers to prevent cheating.
Cons:
❌ Some users report that the user interface is not as intuitive as they would like.
❌ Although flexible, the process of creating assessments can be lengthy, especially when grading short responses that require specific terms for automated scoring.
#10 Aspen SIS
Aspen SIS is a feature-packed platform offering tools for data management, grading, and parent-student communication.
Pros:
✅ Customizable Modules: Schools can modify Aspen’s modules to align with specific needs, whether it’s attendance, grading, or other features, offering great flexibility.
✅ Frequent Auto-Save: Aspen auto-saves grades and data regularly, similar to Google Docs, preventing data loss during updates or system refreshes.
Cons:
❌ The interface is cluttered, with many features hidden in hard-to-navigate menus, making it difficult for users to find essential tools.
❌ Users report that adjusting to Aspen’s unique features and terminology can be difficult, especially compared to simpler SIS systems.
❌ Posting grades at the end of a term requires multiple steps, a process that could be simplified for efficiency.
FAQ’s
Student information systems (SIS) are software applications designed to manage student data, including enrollment, attendance, grades, and communication between students, parents, and educators.
SIS streamlines administrative processes, improves data management, enhances communication, and facilitates reporting, ultimately leading to a more efficient and organized educational environment.
Classter is widely regarded as the best all-in-one SIS, offering comprehensive features tailored for higher education, including admissions, academics, and communication tools.
