From Portals to Platforms: The Strategic ROI of User Experience Platforms in Higher Education

Why Read This Research

Higher education institutions are reimagining the student portal not as a static gateway of links but as a dynamic, responsive user experience platform (UXP) that unifies services, data, and communication across the institutional landscape. This white paper explores the strategic ROI of investing in next-generation experience platforms and makes the case that they are no longer a “nice to have” but a necessary foundation for digital transformation in higher education.

Key Questions Answered

• What are the ROI implications for higher education institutions when investing in a user experience platform?
• How do experience platforms offer significant modernization gains while supporting institutional control over risk and resource investment?

Features

• Software Category in Focus: Portal Platforms
• Future Campus Impacts: Retain, Employ, Operations, Revenue, Governance, Innovate
• Author: Matthew Winn, PhD, Senior Analyst, Tambellini Group
• Research Availability: September 2025

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary
2. The Evolution of the Student Portal 
3. From Link Farm to Experience Platform 
4. The Strategic ROI of Experience Platforms 
5. Selecting a Platform That Delivers 
6. Use Case Highlights 
7. Strategic Considerations for Institutional Leaders 
8. Conclusion: Investing in Agility and Experience