Education call center services

Engage with more students with our education answering service

Provide students with round-the-clock support with our education answering service. Enroll more students and help them get answers quickly.

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A student sitting on a grassy campus lawn with a laptop is shown in a conversation with an education answering service, asking about enrollment for the fall semester while the service responds with a request for their name and program of interest.

Education answering services

Handle call volume with ease using our education call center

Colleges and universities across the country are busier than ever. Every day, students, potential students, and parents call in with a host of questions, ranging from financial aid information to class scheduling to transfer credits, and so much more. It's a unique opportunity for educational institutions to guide students in their path to success and reach the school's enrollment goals.

But handling this call volume is quite an overwhelming task, even with full-time staff.

Fortunately, with an answering service for colleges like Upfirst, your school can more easily navigate call volume and make sure every single caller gets the help they're looking for—because our service picks up on the first ring and never leaves a call unanswered.

Imagine having a customizable virtual receptionist and resource center solution that can engage with potential students 24/7, answer FAQs, and route calls to the appropriate department, giving fast answers and improving student satisfaction—that's Upfirst.

Benefits of an answering service for higher education institutions

Why educational institutions use our answering service

Discover how an answering service for higher education institutions can make a difference at your school.

Never miss a call again with reliable phone support

Educators want the best for their students. With 24/7 answering, you’ll always be available for them, even on weekends and holidays. Students can get quick answers instead of waiting for open business hours.

    Two students sitting outdoors on a college campus, one using a laptop, as they communicate with an education answering service about scholarship opportunities for transfer students, with the service requesting details on their major and credits.

    Engage and enroll more students

    Students often have urgent questions about admissions, scholarships, or deadlines. We’ll pick up on the first ring, showing your students that you value their time and interest. This engagement encourages trust and boosts enrollment conversions.

      A grand university building is the setting for a caller asking for help scheduling a campus tour, while the education call center representative asks for their name and preferred date to find an available tour slot.

      Quickly answer FAQs

      You don’t have to tie up staff with routine calls repeating the same information. Let our voice agents handle the routine questions, and free up your staff to tackle more complex student needs.

        A student using a laptop at a study desk inquiring about an online MBA program’s admission requirements, with a higher education call center service responding by asking for their preferred start date to provide relevant details.

        Easily route inbound calls

        Need an automated service to easily route calls to the right person or office? We connect them to the appropriate department right away, whether it's the admissions department, financial aid, or general educational support. Cut down on wait times and confusion, keeping your phone lines organized and your callers happy.

          A university courtyard with historic architecture serves as the backdrop for a caller asking about international student admission deadlines, while the education answering service asks for the applicant’s intended term to provide the correct information.

          Customize our service to fit your campus’s needs

          Customize your educational organization's inbound call answering to fit exactly what you need and accomplish your institutional goals. With a 24/7 answering service, you can personalize greetings and scripts to sound like it's coming from your faculty and staff. It's an affordable solution to having a valuable and helpful contact center for your students.

            A person writing on paper next to a laptop while speaking with an education call center, asking about the status of their transcript submission, with the call center agent responding by requesting their name and submission date.

            quick, easy setup

            How our education answering service works

            We understand you don’t have the time for a lengthy onboarding process. That’s why getting your own dedicated virtual receptionist from Upfirst takes three easy steps.

            1

            Set up

            Getting started is straightforward: sign up online, choose whether you want to keep your existing business phone number or pick a new local (or 800) number. No complicated hardware setup is required. It’s perfect for busy college administrators who need to ramp up quickly without leaning on IT support.

            2

            Testing

            During this phase, you’ll set up your personalized greeting, select the AI receptionist’s voice, and provide us with your institution’s protocols. This includes essential info like when to forward calls to admissions, how to handle urgent inquiries, and any FAQs you want answered upfront. Then, place a few test calls to make sure everything runs smoothly.

            3

            Go live

            Once you click “Activate,” you’re all set. Your electronic receptionist will begin answering calls right away. You’ll get immediate notifications and summaries of each interaction, along with the peace of mind that comes from knowing every call is handled professionally and promptly.

            Higher education call center services

            All the top features you need with our education call center.

            What makes our education call center stand out? Upfirst is packed with affordably powerful features to help grow enrollment and help students.

            Call center campus

            Popular solutions & use cases for education answering services

            See how universities and colleges use our answering services to handle their inbound calls.

            Overflow

            Perfect for busy registration periods, orientation weeks, or last-minute applicant pushes. If your campus staff is maxed out, let our service take the calls during overflow or peak season so no one is left hanging.

            After-hours

            Students and parents aren’t always free to call during the day. Offering after-hours support means you’re truly available whenever they have questions—boosting trust and increasing enrollment potential.

            Holidays & more

            Campus life doesn’t stop for holidays, and neither do we. We offer coverage during extended breaks, inclement weather days, and other unforeseen closures so your phone lines remain active no matter what.

            Higher education call center services FAQs

            Have a question about our education answering service that you don't see here? Get in touch with our team.

            What are the benefits of an education answering service?

            An education answering service allows colleges to handle large call volumes efficiently, provide 24/7 support, and quickly address common questions. By offloading routine inquiries to our AI agent, your staff can focus on high-priority tasks. Ultimately, this leads to better caller satisfaction, improved enrollment rates, and a more efficient phone operation.

            How much money will I save compared to hiring an in-house receptionist?

            Institutions typically save thousands of dollars per year by outsourcing call management. You eliminate the need for extra office space, equipment, and benefits for a full-time receptionist or a large phone team.

            To put it into perspective, the salary of a full-time receptionist is $36,000 per year. With our answering service, plans start at $24.95 per month, which includes virtual receptionists that answer calls 24/7 and never needs breaks.

            How quickly do you answer calls?

            Our AI service picks up phone calls on the first ring. This fast response not only impresses callers but also prevents them from hanging up and seeking help elsewhere or becoming frustrated with hold times.

            How does your answering service attract more students?

            By offering immediate and accurate answers, we create an exceptional first impression. Prospective students feel valued when they can get information right away—whether it’s about application deadlines or campus tours. This positive experience grows trust and encourages them to proceed with enrollment, rather than shopping around for alternative institutions.

            Can your service handle multiple calls at the same time?

            Absolutely. Our system is designed to manage high call volumes simultaneously, ensuring you’ll never have busy signals or lengthy hold times. This is especially useful during enrollment peaks, major campus events, or urgent situations where phone lines become busier than usual.

            Try our education answering service for free

            Serve more students and reach your institution's enrollment goals. Don't keep your students waiting on hold for answers—try our education answering service for free today!

            Try for free