Marist University
Marist University is a midsized university of approximately 5,000 undergraduate students located in Poughkeepsie, New York, overlooking the Hudson River. Formerly known as Marist College, the institution officially became Marist University in 2025. While it was founded with Catholic roots, it is no longer formally affiliated with the Church. Students often describe the campus community as welcoming and supportive, and Marist has been recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the colleges with the happiest students in the country. One unique aspect of campus life is the accessibility of senior leadership—students can even attend office hours hosted by the university president.
Marist offers a wide range of academic programs across six schools, with business, communications, fashion, education, and allied health among the most popular majors. Environmental science is also a growing area of interest, and the university is launching several new academic opportunities, including a physics major, engineering partnerships, and a new undergraduate nursing program. There is a new health sciences facility coming in 2028. Students who are undecided can begin in the Focus program, which is designed to help them explore academic interests before selecting a major. Marist encourages students to combine interests rather than choose between them, embracing an “and, not or” philosophy that supports interdisciplinary study. Students generally declare their majors by the middle of sophomore year.
Innovation is a priority at Marist. The university has partnered with IBM and is implementing a campus-wide artificial intelligence strategy that will influence both academics and campus operations. Students can pursue an AI minor, and admissions staff have indicated that guidance regarding the use of AI in the application process is forthcoming. Other distinctive opportunities include an invitation-only Honors Program for Presidential Scholars, a five-year master’s program in education and the possibility of graduating in just seven semesters.
Experiential learning is woven throughout the Marist experience. Dedicated internship specialists work within each academic division to help students connect with opportunities related to their fields. Students gain hands-on experience through several campus-run enterprises, including a student-managed café, marketing firm and credit union, all of which offer paid positions and internship credit. Business students have access to an investment center, while fashion students participate in the university’s annual fashion show, the largest student-run event on campus. Study abroad is one of Marist’s strengths. About half of Marist students study abroad during their college careers, and Marist maintains academic centers in Florence, Dublin and Madrid. Roughly half of the students who study abroad choose Florence, and some choose to study there for all four years. Students may even begin their college experience with a first year in Florence and still participate in additional study abroad opportunities later. Marist students study in more than 50 countries around the world, making global learning a defining part of campus culture.
The Red Foxes compete in NCAA Division I athletics, and there are numerous opportunities for students to become involved outside the classroom through clubs, activities and campus traditions. Approximately 27% of students participate in sororities and fraternities. Housing is guaranteed for the first two years, although accommodations are typically available for all four years for students who wish to remain on campus. About 80% of undergraduates live in university housing, with upper-class residence options including townhouses and nearby apartment-style communities.
Marist also offers strong support services for students with learning differences. Its fee-based Learning Support Program, available for students with ADHD or learning disabilities, provides additional academic support. Students interested in the program should apply at the same time they apply for admission and be prepared to submit a recent educational evaluation.
The admissions process at Marist is holistic and test-optional. Demonstrating interest can be beneficial, and prospective students are encouraged to connect with admissions representatives and visit campus if possible. Marist offers a $2,000 scholarship to students who complete a campus visit. Applicants to specialized programs such as Fashion Design should be aware of additional requirements, including portfolio submission. As Marist continues to expand its academic offerings and global opportunities, students who can clearly articulate how they will take advantage of these resources will be especially compelling candidates for admission.
Who Is Marist a Great Fit For?
Marist is a great fit for students seeking a welcoming, student-centered campus with the opportunities of a midsized university. It is especially well suited for students who value hands-on learning, internships and study abroad, and for those interested in business, communications, fashion, education and allied health. Students with multiple interests will appreciate Marist's interdisciplinary approach, while those with ADHD or learning differences may benefit from its Learning Support Program.
Fun Facts about Marist:
Marist was originally founded in 1929 as a seminary by the Marist Brothers, a Roman Catholic community dedicated to education, community and service. The University’s values statement in 2026 still says: “The University fulfills its mission by pursuing three ideals: excellence in education, a sense of community, and a commitment to service” although the school is now independent.
Rik Smits ‘88: “The Dunking Dutchman”, former NBA All-Star and longtime center for the Indiana Pacers was drafted 2nd overall in 1988. He set 25 school records and Marist retired his jersey #45. Smits graduated from Marist with a degree in communications.
The north side of campus was once the Woodcliff Pleasure Park—an amusement park boasting a carousel with a live organ and the tallest roller coaster in the area at the time, the Blue Streak, which topped out at 65 MPH and operated until 1941.
Across the river from campus, a large, faint “M” can be seen on the rocks. It was painted one night by the crew team in the 1970 to show their team spirit.
Marist’s campus is home to many groundhogs, typically seen in the warmer months, leading to the belief that there is a network of groundhog tunnels underneath Marist’s campus where they live and hibernate.
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