Universities host a wide variety of events that require ticketing, from student theatre productions and campus concerts to alumni fundraisers, career fairs, and large-scale conferences. Efficient, reliable ticketing software is essential: it ensures smooth registrations, secure payments, accurate attendance data, and a seamless experience for attendees and organizers alike.
In this article, we’ll explore the essential features universities should look for in ticketing software, review what makes a strong solution, and take a detailed look at leading platforms, starting with how Eventtia aligns with the needs of higher education institutions.
What is ticketing software for universities?
Ticketing software for universities is a digital platform designed to manage event access, sales, and attendance across a wide variety of campus events. These systems streamline the entire ticketing process, making it easier for organizers to create, sell, and track tickets while improving the experience for attendees.
Here’s what university ticketing software typically includes:
- Online ticket creation and sales: Easily create digital tickets for on-campus or virtual events, with different pricing tiers (e.g., student discounts, early bird, and VIP access).
- Secure payment processing: Accept payments online using credit cards, digital wallets, or campus-specific payment systems.
- Customizable registration forms: Gather relevant attendee data such as student ID, graduation year, or department affiliation.
- QR codes and digital check-in: Provide instant, scannable tickets for fast and contactless entry.
- Automated communication: Send confirmation emails, event reminders, and post-event follow-ups automatically.
- Integration with campus systems: Sync with student information systems (SIS), learning management systems (LMS), or CRM tools for accurate reporting.
- Analytics and reporting: Track ticket sales, attendance rates, and engagement across departments or events.
- Multi-event and multi-department support: Manage multiple concurrent events, each with its own branding, ticket rules, and permissions.
University ticketing software brings together convenience, security, and data insights to ensure every event runs smoothly.
What features should you look for in ticketing software for universities?
The best ticketing software for universities is flexible, secure, and designed to support multiple departments and audiences. Here are the key features to look for when choosing the right solution for your campus.
Easy ticket creation and customization
Each university event is unique, so your ticketing system should let you create custom tickets quickly and easily. Look for:
- Multiple ticket types (e.g., student, faculty, VIP, and early bird)
- Custom fields for student IDs or department codes
- Adjustable capacity limits per event or session
- Branded ticket designs that reflect your university’s identity
Secure and flexible payment processing
Universities often handle both free and paid events, so the software must support various payment types while meeting institutional security standards. Key capabilities include:
- PCI-compliant payment gateways
- Support for credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, or on-campus payment systems
- Options for donations and tax-deductible ticket types
- Automated receipts and refunds
Student, faculty, and public access control
Different audiences may have different access rights. The best systems allow you to segment attendees and control ticket visibility or pricing accordingly. For example:
- Discounted or restricted tickets for enrolled students (via student email or ID verification)
- Separate ticket tiers for faculty, alumni, and guests
- Password-protected or invite-only events
Online and on-site check-in tools
A smooth check-in process sets the tone for any event. Look for software that supports:
- QR code scanning or mobile app check-in for fast entry
- Real-time attendee validation
- On-site ticket sales or walk-in registration
- Integration with student ID systems or campus access control
Integration with university systems
A great ticketing platform should fit seamlessly into your university’s existing digital ecosystem. Ideal integrations include:
- Student Information Systems
- Learning Management Systems
- CRMs and email marketing tools (for alumni relations or donor engagement)
- Accounting and finance systems for accurate reconciliation
Reporting and analytics
Insightful reporting helps universities evaluate event success and plan better for future activities. Look for:
- Real-time dashboards showing sales and attendance trends
- Exportable reports for accounting or departmental use
- Attendance tracking by ticket type or demographic
- Post-event surveys and engagement analytics
Custom branding and event pages
Your ticketing pages should align with your institution’s image and inspire trust. Choose software that allows:
- White-labeling (no third-party branding)
- University colors, logos, and messaging.
- Branded confirmation emails and receipts.
- Consistent visuals across events and departments.
Multi-event and multi-department management
Universities frequently run several events at once. The right software supports multiple administrators and departments under one platform, with flexible permissions. You should be able to:
- Create and manage multiple events simultaneously
- Assign admin roles by department or event
- Share data securely across university teams
Marketing and promotion tools
Driving attendance is easier with built-in marketing tools. Some ticketing platforms offer:
- Email campaign management
- Social media integrations for event sharing
- Promo codes and referral links
- Landing page builders to boost visibility for public events
Scalability and hybrid event support
From small workshops to major university-wide conferences, your ticketing system should scale easily. Look for features like:
- Support for hybrid or virtual events
- Automated capacity management for large venues
- API access for future system integrations
- Reliable uptime during high-volume registrations
Compliance and data security
Universities handle sensitive data, so compliance and privacy are critical. Ensure your platform offers:
- GDPR and FERPA compliance
- Data encryption and secure hosting
- Role-based access for administrators
- Transparent data storage and retention policies
The best ticketing software for universities
Choosing the right ticketing system is critical for universities managing diverse events. The system you pick needs to handle everything from online sales and payments to on-site access, integration with campus systems, and detailed reporting. Here are our top picks.
Software | Best for | Key features | Pricing |
Eventtia | Universities managing many ticketed events (student activities, alumni, and conferences) | Custom ticket types, payments, onsite QR/Badge check-in, hybrid/virtual support, analytics | |
Cvent | Very large university conferences with exhibitors, sponsorships, or multi-track events | Advanced registration, venue/floor-plan/exhibitor support, mobile app, deep CRM integrations | Contact Cvent for a custom quote |
Eventbrite | Public-facing campus events, student club ticketing, smaller scale ticketed events | Easy setup, ticketing marketplace, basic analytics, mobile check-in tool | Free for free events; paid plans start at $15/month |
Swoogo | Universities wanting unlimited events/registrations under one fee, custom registration | Unlimited events/registrants, check-in app, 30+ integrations, high customization | Starts $11,800/year for 1 user (unlimited events); custom pricing for enterprise clients |
vFairs | Hybrid/virtual + in-person events at universities, big fairs/expos | Registration/ticketing + virtual environment, networking tools, mobile app | Variable; request a quote |
Eventify | Cost-conscious organizations or departments selling tickets simply and efficiently | White-label ticketing pages, flat ticket fees, check-in, virtual/hybrid support | Starts at $99/month; custom pricing for enterprise clients |
Eventcube | White-label ticketing + membership portal use cases | Custom branding, membership + ticketing, virtual event support | 5% of transaction total, or $99/month and 3% of transaction total. Enterprise options available. |
Bizzabo | Enterprise university conferences focused on attendee experience & networking | Registration/ticketing + mobile app + networking + sponsor/exhibitor modules | Starts at $499/user/month; custom pricing for enterprise clients |
Ticket Tailor | Smaller or mid-sized university events where low cost per ticket matters | Low fees, customizable checkout, free for free events, widget for website embed | Free for up to 5,000 tickets per year; paid plans from $0.30 per ticket |
RegFox | Events where ultra-low cost per registrant is critical | Brandable registration, check-in app, no upfront fees, per-registrant pricing model | $0.99 + 1% fee per paid registrant, capped at $4.99 per registrant. For free events, pricing is $0.99 per registrant. |
Eventtia
Eventtia is an all-in-one event management and ticketing platform designed for registrations, payments, onsite check-in, hybrid/virtual event support and full lifecycle management. It’s intuitive, scalable, and flexible.
Key features
- Custom registration forms, multiple ticket types (student, VIP, group), discount codes and promotions
- On-site check-in, payment processing, and online registration
- Virtual and hybrid event support, including a virtual event platform and event app
- Attendee networking, matchmaking, and one-on-one meeting scheduling
- Reporting dashboards and analytics (attendee data, revenue tracking, exportable metrics)
- Instant fund access via direct payment gateways (improves departmental cash flow and reduces reliance on post-event transfers)
Pricing
- Essential plan (starting at $1,500) for registration, event marketing, check-in, and reporting
- Premium plan (starting $2,250) adds a virtual event platform, event app, and more advanced features
- Networking tier (including matchmaking and one-on-one meeting capabilities) starts $3,500
Why Eventtia is ideal for universities
- The unlimited-event model works well for universities that host many small and large events across departments
- Hybrid and virtual support ensure the platform works for in-person, online, and blended campus events
- Flexible ticketing and registration workflows support student discounts, group sales, and alumni/guest access
- Integration potential and robust reporting help campus event teams monitor attendance, revenue, and engagement
- Branding control means the university identity can remain front and center (rather than a generic ticketing page)
- For universities, cash flow matters. With Eventtia, funds from ticket sales are available almost instantly via your connected payment gateway, so finance teams, departments, and student organizations don’t have to wait days or until after the event to access revenue.
For example, UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia), Spain’s largest public university with over 260,000 students, uses Eventtia to manage virtual and hybrid events that connect students, professors, and departments across the country and abroad. Faced with the challenge of organizing multiple academic and institutional events for a wide and remote audience, UNED needed a flexible platform that gave its event teams complete autonomy without compromising consistency or quality.
With Eventtia’s website builder, the university can create branded registration pages and automate ticketing for each department. The Virtual Stage provides a centralized space for attendees to access sessions and event materials, while Virtual Stands allow faculties and departments to showcase their activities and engage with participants.
This structure has helped UNED streamline event planning, ensure accessibility for remote learners, and strengthen collaboration across the institution.
Learn more about how UNED transformed its event management with Eventtia.
"Eventtia is a truly intuitive platform that's made event management so much easier with its automation features. A really positive experience overall!"
Leidy Mendoza
Universidad El Bosque
Cvent
Cvent is a comprehensive, enterprise-grade event and registration platform used for large conferences, multi-day events, and complex workflows. It supports in-person, virtual, and hybrid events across the full lifecycle of planning.
Key features
- Multiple registration paths, session-track management, and configurable pricing
- Event website builder and mobile event app
- Attendee engagement features like polls, Q&A, and networking
- Deep analytics, ROI dashboards, data integrations with CRM and other campus systems
Pricing
Cvent does not publish fixed pricing publicly. Much of its pricing is custom or enterprise-tier.
How Cvent compares to Eventtia for conferences
If your university runs very large, complex conferences, Cvent’s depth and maturity make it a strong candidate. However, the cost and complexity may be overkill for regular campus events, and setup and training can be much more labor-intensive compared to Eventtia. Ultimately, Eventtia offers many relevant ticketing features at a lower cost and simpler deployment.
Eventbrite
Eventbrite is a popular and accessible ticketing and registration platform known for ease of setup, public event marketplace exposure, and a broad user base. It works well for events where simplicity and rapid deployment matter.
Key features
- Create ticketed and free events quickly, offer multiple ticket types and promo codes
- Built-in payment processing, attendee list management, and check-in tools (via app)
- High visibility via Eventbrite’s event-listing marketplace (useful when events are public)
- No monthly fee for free events, ticketing fees scale for paid events.
Pricing
- Free to publish free events, no fees for free tickets
- Paid plans for increased email limits, support tiers, and promotional tools start at $15/month
- No fixed, large license cost for basic usage; cost scales with ticket volume
How Eventbrite compares to Eventtia for conferences
Eventbrite is easy to use, quick to set up, and ideal for student clubs, small campus events, or alumni gatherings where you want public accessibility. However, it’s less suited for complex ticketing workflows, and costs may scale significantly with high ticket volumes or high-priced tickets. If you need robust campus-wide ticketing, departmental control, hybrid/virtual support and built-in analytics, Eventtia offers better value and fit.
Swoogo
Swoogo is a full-feature event management and registration platform that supports unlimited events and registrations, designed for in-person, virtual and hybrid use.
Key features
- Customizable registration forms with unlimited conditional logic
- Support for badge printing, onsite check-in, mobile app, and exhibition/venue logistics
- Built-in integrations and APIs (30+ integrations) plus data and analytics tools
- Virtual/hybrid event hub with schedule, streaming links, and attendee engagement features
Pricing
Starts at $11,800 per year for the “one user” license with unlimited events & registrations. Custom quotes available for enterprise clients.
vFairs
vFairs is an event platform focused especially on virtual and hybrid events, but also supports in-person events. It’s ideal for large conferences, trade shows, and expos where networking and virtual booths matter.
Key features
- Custom landing pages, tiered pricing, and attendee management
- Virtual and hybrid event platform: auditorium, exhibitor hall, and networking
- 1:1 chat, group chat and mobile app capabilities
- Strong branding and customization
Pricing
Variable; request a quote
Eventify
Eventify is a ticketing-first platform focused on simplifying event registration and ticketing for in-person, virtual or hybrid events, with an emphasis on low platform fees and high ticket sale conversion.
Key features
- Custom domain, white-label ticketing pages, ticket widget embed on websites
- Flat/low ticket fee model, supporting multiple ticket types, checkout forms, and check-in scanning
- Virtual/hybrid support, marketing tools for ticket sales, and analytics
Pricing
Starts at $99/month; custom pricing for enterprise clients
Eventcube
Eventcube is a white-label ticketing and event platform supporting ticket sales, virtual events and membership models. It’s particularly useful for organizations needing ticketing and membership capabilities, and it also supports virtual events.
Key features
- White-label ticketing store, customizable branding, integration with payment gateways (Stripe)
- Virtual event support, membership portals, and “Clones” for similar events
- Flexible pricing: free starter option for free ticketing; pro tier for paid tickets
Pricing
5% of transaction total, or $99/month and 3% of transaction total. Enterprise options available.
Bizzabo
Bizzabo is an enterprise event-experience platform offering ticketing and registration, event website, mobile app, networking features, and event analytics. It’s suitable for large conferences and networking events.
Key features
- Unlimited events and registration/ticketing (on plan)
- Email campaigns, event website, and mobile app
- Advanced networking, sponsor/exhibitor modules, and analytics dashboards
Pricing
Starts at $499/user/month; custom pricing for enterprise clients
Ticket Tailor
Ticket Tailor is a low-cost, flexible ticketing platform that emphasizes low transaction fees rather than high platform or ticketing fees. It’s good for university events with many ticket sales, looking to keep the cost per ticket as low as possible.
Key features
- Multiple ticket types (early bird, VIP), discount codes, custom checkout, and white-label options
- Direct payment processing via Stripe or PayPal, ability to export attendee data
- Ticket Tailor Help Centre for onboarding and responsive, ongoing support
- Transparent pricing and no long-term contract
Pricing
Free for up to 5,000 tickets per year; paid plans from $0.30 per ticket
RegFox
RegFox is a registration and ticketing platform with simple pricing and no upfront licensing fees. It appeals especially to organizations seeking low cost per registration and high customization for check-in, badges, and registration flows.
Key features
- Highly customizable registration forms, ticket types, conditional logic, and badge printing
- Flat per-registrant pricing model; good for large volume university events seeking cost efficiency
- Own attendee data, flexible payment/offline options
Pricing
$0.99 + 1% fee per paid registrant, capped at $4.99 per registrant. For free events, pricing is $0.99 per registrant.
Benefits of using ticketing software for universities
Managing ticketed university events can get complicated fast. Ticketing software simplifies the entire process, offering benefits that improve both the attendee experience and the efficiency of event teams.
Streamlined registration and check-in
Ticketing software automates the registration process, eliminating manual entry errors and long check-in lines. With the right software, you can:
- Easily create online registration forms
- Offer mobile or QR-code ticket scanning
- Track attendance in real time
Increased revenue and payment flexibility
With integrated payment gateways, universities can securely process payments and track revenue. Ticketing software enables event organizers to:
- Accept multiple payment methods (credit card, PayPal, etc.)
- Offer early-bird pricing, group rates, or discount codes
- Automatically generate financial reports for transparency
Enhanced attendee experience
Modern ticketing systems improve how students, staff, and visitors interact with your events, through:
- Simple, mobile-friendly ticket purchasing
- Automatic confirmations and reminders
- Personalized ticket options or seat selection for premium events
Centralized event management
Ticketing platforms allow universities to manage all event logistics from one dashboard. With the right software, you can:
- Track registrations, payments, and attendance in one place
- Integrate with campus systems (e.g., student databases or CRMs)
- Manage multiple events and venues simultaneously
Powerful data and insights
Access to detailed analytics helps universities plan better future events. It provides insights that enable event organizers to:
- Understand which events attract the most engagement
- Identify peak registration times and trends
- Evaluate event ROI from event ticket sales and marketing campaigns
Marketing and communication tools
Many ticketing platforms include built-in tools to promote events effectively. The right software can help you get the word out about your event, by:
- Sending automated emails and event reminders
- Integrating with social media and university websites
- Using referral and affiliate tracking for wider reach
Improved security and compliance
Reputable ticketing solutions ensure secure payment processing and protect attendee data. Make sure you’re investing in software with:
- PCI-compliant payment systems
- Role-based access control for event staff
- Encrypted attendee data for privacy compliance
Key takeaways: Choosing the right ticketing software for university events
Whether you’re organizing a campus concert, academic conference, alumni gala, or student orientation, using dedicated ticketing software can make all the difference. The right platform saves your team time but also ensures a seamless experience for attendees, from registration to check-in.
Eventtia is a top choice for universities, offering flexible ticketing options, robust event marketing, and advanced reporting tools tailored to higher education needs. Schedule a demo to discover how Eventtia can help make your university’s next event a success.
