Purpose of the study is to substantiate the feasibility of using the model of benchmarking of educational services in the socially responsible educational-innovative cluster in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the authors focus on justify a "nuclear" approach to the cluster formation. The process-oriented benchmarking model was used to apply best practices of providing higher educational service in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. The method of factor analysis was used to determine the impact of each of the 4P subsystems of benchmarking. Using the method of benchmarking makes it possible to develop a final competitive product in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic -- an educational service for all industry and territorial stakeholders. In the light of COVID-19 pandemic, the formation of socially responsible educational-innovative clusters in Ukraine is one of the most promising and effective trends to modernize the provision of educational service. The uniqueness of the educational service is created by strengthening and synergizing the competitive advantages and competencies of all participants in the educational cluster: teachers, students, employers, research staff, the local community.