Go with what you know. That can be said about the best college marketing videos. Universities and colleges often use video to attract the attention of prospective students—and there are a lot out there. 

Go with what you know. That can be said about the best college marketing videos. Universities and colleges often use videos to attract the attention of prospective students– and there are a lot out there. While nothing beats a campus tour, videos are a great way to sell a school, revealing not only what a  campus can have to offer, but also their academic contributions, their culture, social atmosphere, and more.Once you have a targeted demographic, the first step to the content marketing delivery process is to select the right medium for distributing said content.

• What will your audience respond to?
• What moves them further down the funnel?
• How can we show them what we offer?

98% of respondents see video, and in particular, interactive videos and video paths, as critical components in personalized and self-paced learning, some of the growing trends in education. 

No matter how enthusiastic you are or how opposed you are to this practice, its use has become commonplace. Marketing and admissions professionals at colleges and universities are taking advantage of this growing market and honing their production skills to edge out their competitors.

1) Yale University

This Yale college marketing video gives off the antithesis of the stodgy Ivy League impression. Produced by undergraduate students, there’s a twist to the mundane Q&A of college visits. This video is quirky and fun to share, showing off the school through an innovative theatrical approach.

“An introduction to undergraduate life at Yale College. The project was an independent collaboration between Yale undergraduates and recent alumni working in the admissions office. All filming, editing, and vocal recording was done on Yale's campus exclusively by Yale students. www.yale.edu/admit”

2) Stanford University

Stanford University’s college marketing video reflects a student perspective, in 360 degrees. Using voice overs from staff and students alike, they are able to draw in a first hand exposure to life on campus with anecdotal experiences.

3) Harvard University

This video from Harvard shows off the school’s variety of options as well as a diverse student body by following individual students.

“From Harvard College Admissions and Financial Aid, experience undergraduate life at Harvard through the people who know it and love it.”

4) Université du Québec à Montréal

We consider this a ‘classic’ viral college video. In a single take, these students put together a fun and trendy video featuring the hit song ‘I Gotta Feeling’ by the Black Eyed Peas. Reaching over 11 million views worldwide, this is a unique way to connect to prospective students while getting younger generations excited for their college journey.

“This LipDub has been produced during the integration week of UQAM (Quebec, Canada) with 172 communication students. Made on September 10th 2009 in 2h15min. (Directors: Luc-Olivier Cloutier & Marie-Ève Hébert)”

5) Sacred Heart University

These aerial shots showcase a beautiful campus experience and student life from a bird’s eye view. Drones are an incredible new way to see your university at scale.

“Sacred Heart University, the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, offers more than 70 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its main campus in Fairfield, Conn., and satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland. More than 8,000 students attend the University’s six colleges: Arts & Sciences; Health Professions; Nursing; University College; the Jack Welch College of Business; and the Isabelle Farrington College of Education. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its guides Best 379 Colleges – 2015 Edition, “Best in the Northeast” and Best 296 Business Schools – 2015 Edition. U.S.News & World Report ranks SHU among the best master’s universities in the North in its annual “America’s Best Colleges” publication. SHU fields 32 division I athletic teams and has an award-winning program of community service. www.sacredheart.edu”

6) Transylvania University

Occasionally, a college can get a boost from an ‘unofficial’ video like this popular one from a fraternity at Transylvania University doing Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”.

“No cuts lip dub by Delta Sigma Phi at Transylvania University. Donate to Team Torsie for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! http://pages.lightthenight.org/ky/Lex..."Shake It Off" by Taylor Swift Lexington, KY Reuploaded, original with 3.5 million views”

7) University College Dublin 

Another great way to advertise to prospective students is to give testimony to your core curriculum and departments of interest. UCD Choral Scholars are able to demonstrate through song their passion and purpose for attending this renowned university.

Interested in Seeing More?

Whether earnest or offbeat, the most effective college promotional videos offer a mix of information about the lives of current students and the school’s offerings that demonstrate the character and culture of the school and what its students and life there might be like.