Still Managing Your Campus with Spreadsheets? Meet the 5 Best ERPs Transforming Higher-Education
If your institution is still juggling spreadsheets, outdated databases, and disconnected software, I’ve got news: you’re driving a horse-drawn carriage in the age of Teslas. Higher-education institutions today need agility, integration, and real-time data insights—things that legacy systems simply can’t deliver.
Enter Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. These powerful platforms streamline processes, improve student outcomes, and give administrators that holy grail—peace of mind. But choosing the right ERP isn’t easy. Fear not; I’ve compiled the top five ERPs currently dominating higher-ed to help you make the right call.
Let’s dive in.
1. Ellucian Banner
Quick Stats:
- Institutions Using Banner: 1,400+ globally (Ellucian)
- Overall Satisfaction Rating: 4.2/5 (Gartner)
- Notable Clients: Temple University, Georgia State University
Why Institutions Love It: Ellucian Banner is practically synonymous with higher-ed ERP—and for good reason. It integrates seamlessly across admissions, financial aid, HR, finance, and student records. Institutions praise Banner for its flexibility, scalability, and extensive customization capabilities.
Pros:
- Highly customizable to meet unique institutional needs.
- Robust analytics capabilities.
- Strong compliance and security framework.
Cons:
- Complexity leads to a steeper learning curve.
- Customizations can complicate updates.
Who It’s For: Large institutions with complex requirements seeking extensive customization and integration.
2. Workday Student
Quick Stats:
- Institutions Using Workday: 150+ universities worldwide (Workday)
- Overall Satisfaction Rating: 4.4/5 (Gartner)
- Notable Clients: Arizona State University, Wellesley College
Why Institutions Love It: Workday offers a modern, cloud-native ERP built specifically for the digital age. Its clean user interface, intuitive navigation, and powerful analytics give institutions the agility to pivot quickly, something especially valuable post-pandemic.
Pros:
- Modern, intuitive UI enhances user adoption.
- Strong real-time analytics and reporting.
- Rapid deployment and regular, seamless updates.
Cons:
- Less customization compared to Banner.
- Premium pricing can be a barrier for smaller institutions.
Who It’s For: Institutions prioritizing ease-of-use, real-time analytics, and modern architecture over deep customizations.
3. Oracle PeopleSoft Campus Solutions
Quick Stats:
- Institutions Using PeopleSoft: 800+ globally (Oracle)
- Overall Satisfaction Rating: 4.1/5 (Gartner)
- Notable Clients: Florida State University, Harvard University
Why Institutions Love It: Oracle’s PeopleSoft Campus Solutions is a veteran in higher-ed ERP. It provides comprehensive functionality across student administration, financial aid, admissions, and more. Known for stability and strong legacy support, PeopleSoft is particularly favored by institutions requiring extensive custom integrations.
Pros:
- Comprehensive features covering all administrative areas.
- Strong track record of reliability and performance.
- Extensive integration capabilities.
Cons:
- UI can feel outdated compared to cloud-native competitors.
- Significant overhead for maintenance and upgrades.
Who It’s For: Institutions with substantial investment in existing Oracle ecosystems seeking reliability and broad integration.
4. Jenzabar One
Quick Stats:
- Institutions Using Jenzabar: 1,350+ globally (Jenzabar)
- Overall Satisfaction Rating: 4.3/5 (G2)
- Notable Clients: Lipscomb University, Bluefield College
Why Institutions Love It: Jenzabar One is a unified, cloud-based ERP solution aimed at enhancing the student experience. It’s particularly praised for its user-friendly interface, streamlined workflows, and robust student engagement tools.
Pros:
- Excellent user experience for students and administrators.
- Strong student engagement and retention features.
- Cloud-based model reduces IT overhead.
Cons:
- Limited scalability for very large institutions.
- Some modules lack depth compared to competitors.
Who It’s For: Mid-sized institutions prioritizing student engagement and ease-of-use without complex custom requirements.
5. Anthology Student (Formerly Campus Management)
Quick Stats:
- Institutions Using Anthology: 2,000+ institutions globally (Anthology)
- Overall Satisfaction Rating: 4.0/5 (Capterra)
- Notable Clients: University of Alabama, Colorado Technical University
Why Institutions Love It: Anthology Student offers comprehensive ERP capabilities with a strong focus on modernizing student journeys. Institutions appreciate its emphasis on student-centric workflows, deep analytics, and responsive support.
Pros:
- Robust analytics and predictive modeling.
- Strong student lifecycle management.
- Flexible integration capabilities.
Cons:
- Complex initial setup and implementation.
- Occasional challenges with module integration consistency.
Who It’s For: Institutions emphasizing student lifecycle management, predictive analytics, and integrated communication capabilities.
Decision-Maker Comparison: At a Glance
| ERP System | User Rating | Deployment | Customization | Scalability | Best For |
| Ellucian Banner | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | On-Prem/Cloud | High | Excellent | Large, Complex Institutions |
| Workday Student | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Cloud | Moderate | Excellent | Agile, Modern Institutions |
| Oracle PeopleSoft | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | On-Prem/Cloud | High | Good | Institutions with Legacy Oracle |
| Jenzabar One | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Cloud | Moderate | Moderate | Mid-sized, Student-focused |
| Anthology Student | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Cloud | Moderate | Good | Analytics-driven institutions |
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right ERP is about aligning your institution’s unique needs, priorities, and future vision with the ERP capabilities. Whether you’re a large university requiring deep customization or a growing college seeking modern agility, there’s an ERP tailored for you.
Don’t let outdated systems hold your institution back.
Ready to Find Your Perfect ERP?
Still overwhelmed by the options? Let our ERP experts at Sanguine Informatics help. We specialize in ERP selection and implementation tailored to your institution’s unique needs.
Connect with us today, and let’s take your campus operations from chaos to clarity—because your spreadsheets deserve retirement, and your students deserve excellence.
