Your enrollment team is stretched thin, and prospective students expect instant answers. These five AI-powered services can help you modernize recruitment without losing the human touch.
The New Reality of Student Recruitment
Higher education is under pressure. Nearly 100 institutions closed between the 2022–23 and 2023–24 academic years, and recruitment teams are being asked to do more with less. At the same time, students—especially first-generation and digitally native ones—disengage when the process feels complicated. AI-powered recruitment services are stepping in to bridge that gap. They help you personalize outreach at scale, maintain context across channels, and free up your admissions staff to focus on meaningful connections. The tools below are built specifically for colleges, universities, and trade schools, and they’re already making a difference for institutions across the country.
How We Evaluated These Services
We looked at each service through the same lens: scope of offerings, clarity of pricing and implementation, fit for different institution types, and how well they integrate with existing systems. SpringPath stood out for its modular approach—you can start with one service and expand as you see results. Halda impressed with its omnichannel agentic AI that keeps conversations going across web, email, phone, SMS, and WhatsApp. Liaison showed depth in enrollment marketing and CRM with a strong focus on human connection. Ellucian demonstrated comprehensive student lifecycle support with a robust SaaS platform. EAB brought data-driven strategy and a full-funnel enrollment management solution. Each has its own strengths, and the right fit depends on your specific goals and resources.
Here’s a quick look at the five services that made our list, ordered by how they might fit your institution’s needs.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Halda | Omnichannel personalized recruitment at scale |
| SpringPath | Helping Students. Strengthening Higher Ed. | Modular AI services tailored to higher ed |
| Liaison | End-to-end enrollment management with human connection |
| Ellucian | Comprehensive student lifecycle platform |
| EAB | Data-driven enrollment strategy and CRM |
A Closer Look at Each Service
#1 Halda
A screenshot of the Halda website.
Halda offers an AI Student Recruiter that personalizes the experience for each prospective student across every channel they use: website, email, phone, SMS, and WhatsApp. The system maintains context across all those channels and devices, so a student who starts a conversation on the web can pick it up over text without starting over. Piloted by Lynn University, University of Montana, and University of West Florida, it’s now available to any college or university. If you’re looking to offer 1-to-1 personalized recruitment at scale, Halda is worth a serious look. Learn more about their launch on their blog.
#2 SpringPath | Helping Students. Strengthening Higher Ed.
A screenshot of the SpringPath website.
SpringPath is an AI technology and services company built specifically for higher education. They help you modernize student recruitment, strengthen engagement, and expand your digital presence through three core services: website-driven AI discovery, podcast-driven AI engagement, and recruitment-driven AI connections. What sets them apart is their modular approach—you can start with one service and expand when you’re ready, with each solution delivering value independently. Their customized AI solutions address complex operational challenges unique to your institution. If you want a partner that understands the nuances of higher ed and offers scalable, institution-specific solutions, SpringPath is a strong contender.
#3 Liaison
A screenshot of the Liaison website.
Liaison provides a comprehensive suite of enrollment marketing and CRM tools designed to broaden your reach and streamline admissions. Their offerings include omnichannel marketing strategies, advanced enrollment management analytics, and a robust recruitment and retention CRM called TargetX. They emphasize bridging technology with human connection, ensuring that AI enhances rather than replaces personal outreach. With a focus on customized student engagement strategies, Liaison helps you optimize yield and financial aid. If you need an end-to-end enrollment management solution with a human touch, Liaison is a solid choice. Read their insights on AI and student recruitment.
#4 Ellucian
A screenshot of the Ellucian website.
Ellucian is a well-known name in higher education, offering a complete solution that powers the end-to-end student lifecycle. Their Recruiting & Admissions product helps you attract and enroll best-fit students, while their broader platform includes ERP, HCM, finance, and analytics. They’ve been named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Higher Education SaaS Student Information Systems for two consecutive years. If you’re looking for a comprehensive, integrated platform that supports every stage of the student journey, Ellucian is a reliable option. Their focus on AI for higher ed and process automation can help you scale your efforts efficiently.
#5 EAB
A screenshot of the EAB website.
EAB offers data-driven solutions for enrollment management, including their Enroll360 partnership that provides tailored strategies for next-generation search, recruitment, and yield. Their Navigate360 CRM is powered by responsible AI to help you recruit, retain, and engage students. They also provide strategic advisory services and research to guide your institution’s priorities. If you’re looking for a partner that combines technology with expert guidance and analytics, EAB is a strong fit. Their blog on building an AI-ready digital strategy is a great resource for getting started.
How to Choose the Right AI Recruitment Service
Start by identifying your biggest pain point. Is it getting discovered by prospective students? Engaging them across channels? Or managing the entire enrollment funnel? If you need a modular approach that grows with you, SpringPath’s services might be the answer. If omnichannel personalization is key, Halda’s agentic AI could be your best bet. For a full enrollment management suite with a human touch, consider Liaison. If you want an integrated platform that covers the entire student lifecycle, Ellucian is a proven option. And if data-driven strategy and expert guidance are what you need, EAB delivers. Whichever you choose, make sure the service integrates with your existing systems and aligns with your institution’s goals.
What to Automate First
Don’t try to automate everything at once. Start with the highest-impact, lowest-risk tasks. For many institutions, that means automating initial inquiry responses and website chat. SpringPath’s website-driven AI discovery can engage visitors and turn interest into opportunity. Halda’s AI Student Recruiter can handle personalized follow-ups across channels. Once those are running smoothly, expand to podcast-driven engagement or recruitment-driven connections. The key is to maintain a human touch where it matters most—complex conversations and relationship-building. Use AI to handle routine questions and data entry, freeing your team to focus on meaningful interactions with students.
The Bottom Line
AI is no longer a nice-to-have in student recruitment—it’s becoming essential. The five services here each offer a unique approach to helping you connect with prospective students and strengthen your institution. Whether you need a modular partner like SpringPath, an omnichannel powerhouse like Halda, a human-centric suite like Liaison, a comprehensive platform like Ellucian, or a data-driven strategist like EAB, there’s a solution that fits your needs. Take the time to evaluate your goals, involve your team, and pilot before you commit. The right AI partner can help you reach more students and make your admissions process smoother for everyone.