Gone are the days when a catchy slogan and a glossy brochure were enough to attract the brightest minds to your school, university or learning program.
In our hyper-connected world, educational marketing services have evolved into a sophisticated mix of data, creativity, and technological innovation.
In this review we present the top educational marketing services and agencies setting new standards for marketing higher and continued education institutions.
Whether you’re a small private school looking to expand your reach or a large university aiming to refine your brand identity, these are firms that offer innovative marketing strategies to propel your institution forward.
Here is our curated list of some of the best agencies specializing in marketing for the educational sector:
AGENCY SNAPSHOT
Founded: 2020
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Number of Employees: 51-200
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ED Marketing Agency, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, specializes in providing marketing services specifically tailored for education institutions.
This agency focuses on creating focused and compelling brands for learning institutions to drive recruitment, improve pride, and increase fundraising.
They have a notable portfolio that includes impactful visual identities and strategic online platforms.
ED Marketing Agency is a prominent player in the education marketing sector, providing digital strategies and creative solutions to enhance the visibility and impact of higher education institutions.
AGENCY SNAPSHOT
Founded: 2009
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Number of Employees: 51-200
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Single Grain as a premier digital agency for the education sector, offering specialized expertise and a commitment to driving persistent growth and engagement for its clients in the education sector.
It crafts bespoke digital campaigns that elevate education institutions and foster meaningful engagement with current and prospective students.
Single Grain has a proven track record of working with notable education clients and is known for its ability to enhance online presence and drive acquisition for educational institutions.
AGENCY SNAPSHOT
Founded: 2009
Location: Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Portsmouth, NH; and San Francisco, CA, USA
Number of Employees: 51-200
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Vital Design is a digital agency with extensive experience working with colleges and universities to attract prospective students through targeted digital campaigns.
Vital Design has worked with clients like the University of San Diego Online to help grow their online degree programs through digital marketing.
They understand the competitive online education marketplace and use targeted technology-powered strategies and solutions.
The agency has an award-winning culture and team of over 100 digital experts across web design, branding, SEO, PPC, content creation, and more.
AGENCY SNAPSHOT
Founded: 2009
Location: Nantwich, UK
Number of Employees: 11-50
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Eleven is an award-winning creative agency that specializes in providing tailored strategies and impactful creative solutions for colleges, universities, and other education institutions in the UK.
This agency develops innovative campaign strategies and creative solutions to help clients increase brand awareness, drive student admissions and recruitment, and establish a strong brand identity that sets them apart.
Eleven has deep expertise in the higher and further education sectors, having worked with a “huge number of colleges and universities across the country.”
They understand the unique challenges these institutions face, such as increased competition for students and the need to demonstrate the value proposition of a degree.
AGENCY SNAPSHOT
Founded: 1998
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Number of Employees: 51-200
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With more than 25 years of experience, OHO Interactive has worked with over 160 higher education clients.
They deeply understand the unique challenges and goals of marketing to prospective students in the American education space.
This highly regarded higher education agency specializes in digital strategy, research, website design, content strategy, and digital strategies for prestigious universities such as Harvard and Yale.
OHO Interactive stands out as a premier higher education agency with deep industry expertise, a digital-first mindset, a track record of results, and a collaborative partnership approach that helps colleges and universities achieve their enrollment and business goals.
AGENCY SNAPSHOT
Founded: 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE; Singapore; and Toronto, Canada
Number of Employees: 11-50
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Think Orion is an education-focused agency that helps online education providers drive revenue and student enrollment.
This digital advertising firm has worked with a variety of education clients, from online course providers to conferences, helping them accelerate student enrollments, ticket sales, and partnership signups through their strategies.
Think Orion’s specialized education expertise, compelling creatives, effective targeting, and proven results make their ad campaigns highly effective in driving enrollment for education programs.
AGENCY SNAPSHOT
Founded: 2018
Location: Manchester, UK
Number of Employees: 1-10
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Waterfall is an award-winning agency from Manchester focusing on immersive creative solutions for colleges and universities.
They use their insight and expertise to deliver diverse brand experiences and campaigns. This agency’s work spans student recruitment, course marketing, research, and academic storytelling.
The agency has over 20 years of advertising and marketing experience, with a hands-on professional and creative strategist leading the team.
Waterfall often collaborates with the students to bring their stories to life with UGC and build their client’s brand credibility at the same time.
AGENCY SNAPSHOT
Founded: 2006
Location: Fully Remote
Number of Employees: 11-50
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Simpson Scarborough is a prominent agency that specializes in serving the higher education sector. Founded in 2006 and based in Alexandria, Virginia, the agency is research-driven, placing data and insights at the core of its strategies.
As a full-service agency, Simpson Scarborough offers a wide range of integrated services for higher education branding and marketing.
This agency believes that higher education has the power to change the world and aims to further the higher education ecosystem through its work.
Simpson Scarborough has partnered with over 300 higher education institutions and has a well-established reputation for success.
AGENCY SNAPSHOT
Founded: 2015
Location: Tampa, Florida, USA
Number of Employees: 11-50
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Sextant provides customized, full-funnel strategies to help colleges and universities attract and retain students.
Sextant approach is ROI-focused, results-driven, and tech-enabled. They utilize future-focused, tech-forward strategies powered by a team of seasoned experts who work exclusively in higher education.
The agency utilizes innovative strategies to stay ahead of the curve in higher education advertising. This includes using advanced digital technologies to improve engagement and enrollment.
AGENCY SNAPSHOT
Founded: 2012
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Number of Employees: 11-50
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SearchMax is a leading digital agency in Melbourne, Australia, that specializes in providing comprehensive marketing services for education providers.
SearchMax takes a data-driven approach, tracking these metrics in real-time during campaigns and optimizing performance.
They provide detailed reporting to clients on the key results achieved and the return on their marketing investment.
As a Google Premier Partner and Facebook Marketing Partner, SearchMax leverages the latest digital tools and best practices to deliver measurable results.
In an increasingly competitive market, higher education and online education institutions must employ targeted strategies to boost enrollment and generate quality leads.
Here are some key approaches to drive results:
Develop valuable, informative content that addresses prospective students’ needs and questions. This can include blog posts, e-books, webinars, and video content covering topics like career outcomes, program specifics, and student life.
Utilize platforms like Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to reach potential students with targeted messaging. Leverage audience segmentation to tailor ads based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
Host online information sessions, Q&A panels with faculty and current students, and virtual campus tours. These events provide an immersive experience for prospects who can’t visit in person and can be a powerful tool for lead generation.
Check out this video from Herbet Gerzer on emerging trends in education marketing to learn more about the trends in social media, paid advertising and interactive virtual events:
Implement nurture campaigns that provide relevant information to prospects based on their interests and stage in the decision-making process. Personalized email sequences can guide potential students from initial inquiry to application submission.
Collaborate with alumni, current students, or industry professionals to share authentic experiences and insights about your institution. This can be particularly effective on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, where younger audiences are highly engaged.
Ensure all digital touchpoints, including your website and application process, are optimized for mobile devices. A seamless mobile experience is crucial, as many prospective students rely primarily on smartphones for research and communication.
Optimize your website and content for relevant keywords to improve visibility in search results. Focus on long-tail keywords that prospective students are likely to use when researching educational options. Ensure your site structure, metadata, and content are aligned with SEO best practices. For on-campus institutions, local or location-based SEO is essential.
Utilize analytics tools to track your marketing efforts’ performance and identify areas for improvement. Continuously refine your strategies based on data insights to maximize ROI and enrollment outcomes.
By implementing these strategies, higher education and online education institutions can enhance visibility, engage prospective students more effectively, and ultimately drive enrollment growth.
Summary: Effective Marketing Strategies for Educational Institutions
Education marketing agencies employ strategies like content marketing, paid advertising, virtual events, email marketing automation, influencer partnerships, SEO, and mobile optimization to boost enrollment and generate quality leads for higher education and online education institutions in a competitive market.
Specialist agencies provide a range of services to help educational institutions and organizations effectively reach and engage with potential students to drive new enrollment and retain existing students.
The services offered by educational marketing agencies include:
By leveraging their expertise and experience, specialist agencies can help institutions effectively reach, engage, and convert their target audiences, ultimately driving growth and success.
By looking at these top-class agencies and their work, one thing becomes crystal clear: the future of education is intrinsically linked with innovative strategies.
We hope that by breaking down each service’s strengths, specializations, and success stories, we have helped you find your ideal partner for continued success.
Remember, the right choice isn’t about following trends but about aligning with your specific goals, whether you’re a small private school looking to boost local enrollment or a large university aiming to enhance its global reputation.
Personalized digital marketing leveraging AI and big data is allowing educational institutions to target prospective students with tailored messaging and offerings.
The rise of micro-credentials and alternative education paths are disrupting traditional degree programs, forcing schools to market shorter, more flexible learning options.
Social media influencers and user-generated content are becoming increasingly important in shaping perceptions and decisions around education choices.
Virtual and augmented reality technologies are enabling immersive campus tours and program previews, revolutionizing how schools showcase their offerings to potential students.
Create engaging videos that showcase campus life, highlight unique programs, and feature student testimonials to give prospective students an authentic glimpse into the educational experience.
Distribute these videos across multiple platforms including social media, your website, and email campaigns to maximize reach and impact.
Consumers are increasingly seeking personalized, flexible learning experiences that cater to their individual needs and schedules.
There's a growing preference for bite-sized, on-demand content and curriculums that offer immediate, applicable skills.
Social proof, such as reviews and testimonials, are becoming more influential in education choices, with prospective students relying heavily on peer experiences.
Mobile-first content consumption is on the rise, with learners expecting seamless, multi-device access to educational resources and marketing materials.
Foleon: The Complete Guide to: Higher Education Marketing
Deloitte: Higher Education Trends
Volt: 9 Must-Know Higher Education Marketing Trends
VoyMedia: The Future of Education Marketing: Trends and Predictions
360 Industry Research: Online Higher Education Market Size and Growth Share: Future Trends and Developments to 2032