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Head-to-head · Academic Advising Software

Starfish vs Ellucian Advising

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Starfish #4 in Academic Advising Software 8.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 5 features Visit EAB
Ellucian Advising #6 in Academic Advising Software 8.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Ellucian

Starfish leads on 0 checks, Ellucian Advising on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreStarfish · 8.2/10
  • Most featuresStarfish · 4 of 5

Starfish scores higher on our rubric for academic advising software: 8.2 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Starfish is the better fit for teams needing practical student-success workflows. Ellucian Advising is the better fit for institutions focused on alerts and advising operations.

  • Starfish fits best

    Teams needing practical student-success workflows

  • Ellucian Advising fits best

    Institutions focused on alerts and advising operations

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Side by side

Feature Starfish 8.2/10 Visit ↗ Ellucian Advising 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 8.0
Ranking #4 in Academic Advising Software #6 in Academic Advising Software
Best for Teams needing practical student-success workflows Institutions focused on alerts and advising operations
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request Pricing on request
Free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Support Live chat, Phone, Docs Docs
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Starfish 4/5 · Ellucian Advising 2/5
Degree audit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Degree planning ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Early alerts ✓ ✓
Intervention workflows ✓ ✓
Student planning portal ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Mobile access Web Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines early alerts, appointments, cases, cohorts, and referrals
  • Supports degree planning, success plans, and off-track notifications
  • Adds workflow automation, analytics, kiosk support, and student access
  • AI alerts and indicators help identify at-risk students
  • Case management and task automation support advising workflows
  • Dashboards, scheduling, and communications connect advising activity
Cons
  • Pricing is handled through contact-sales engagement
  • Designed for institutional partnerships rather than self-serve adoption
  • Web access may not suit teams seeking a dedicated mobile experience
  • Pricing requires contact with sales rather than published plan comparisons
  • Its strongest emphasis is advising operations and student alerts
  • Institutions may need to assess fit for broader academic planning needs
Our verdict

Starfish is EAB’s higher-education student-success platform for colleges and universities. It brings together early alerts, progress surveys, appointment scheduling, case and cohort management, analytics, degree planning, success plans,…

Read the review →

Ellucian Advising is advising software for colleges and universities, with tools for faculty, advisors, and higher-education teams supporting student progress. Its core capabilities include AI-powered alerts and dynamic indicators for…

Read the review →
  1. StarfishAcademic Advising Software 8.2Pricing on request
  2. Ellucian AdvisingAcademic Advising Software 8.0Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Starfish — where it wins

    • Combines early alerts, appointments, cases, cohorts, and referrals
    • Supports degree planning, success plans, and off-track notifications
    • Adds workflow automation, analytics, kiosk support, and student access

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through contact-sales engagement
    • Designed for institutional partnerships rather than self-serve adoption
    • Web access may not suit teams seeking a dedicated mobile experience

  • Ellucian Advising — where it wins

    • AI alerts and indicators help identify at-risk students
    • Case management and task automation support advising workflows
    • Dashboards, scheduling, and communications connect advising activity

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contact with sales rather than published plan comparisons
    • Its strongest emphasis is advising operations and student alerts
    • Institutions may need to assess fit for broader academic planning needs
  • Starfish8.2/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad student-success platform for coordinating alerts, advising, planning, and interventions.

    Visit EABFull verdict →
  • Ellucian Advising8.0/10 · Pricing on request

    A strong fit for institutions prioritizing alerts, case management, and advising operations.

    Visit EllucianFull verdict →

More comparisons

All academic advising software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update