Marist College, located along the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York, is best known for its strong business and communications programs, a decades-long technology partnership with IBM, one of the top study abroad programs in the country, and the nationally recognized Marist Poll. It blends a liberal arts foundation with career-focused academics, and 94% of its graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of finishing their degree.
Business, Communications, and Fashion
Nearly half of Marist’s 2024 graduating class earned degrees in either business or communications. Business, management, and marketing alone accounted for 29% of graduates, making it the school’s dominant academic area by a wide margin. Communications and journalism programs drew another 15%. These two fields have long been central to Marist’s identity and are the programs most prospective students associate with the school.
Psychology (11%), visual and performing arts (8%), and computer and information sciences (8%) round out the next tier. Marist also offers several combined-degree tracks that let you earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a compressed timeline, including paths in accounting, fashion merchandising paired with marketing communication, information technology, and multiple education specializations. The fashion program in particular has earned the school attention, connecting merchandising coursework to a broader marketing and communications skill set.
The IBM Partnership
One of the most distinctive things about Marist is its 30-plus-year joint study arrangement with IBM. The partnership began with the installation of a $10 million IBM 3090 mainframe computer on campus and has evolved through several major hardware and research upgrades since. In 2012, Marist installed a z Systems mainframe that provides computing power typically found at large research universities or Fortune 500 companies.
For students, this means access to technology infrastructure that most schools their size simply don’t have. Marist and IBM have collaborated on projects spanning cloud computing, blockchain, machine learning, data analytics, cybersecurity curriculum development, and software-defined networking. Students get opportunities to work alongside faculty and IBM technical experts on real research, not just classroom exercises. The partnership has helped position Marist as one of the most technologically advanced liberal arts colleges in the country, particularly for students interested in IT, cybersecurity, or computer science careers.
The Marist Poll
The Marist Institute for Public Opinion, better known as the Marist Poll, started as a classroom project in 1978. It has since grown into one of the most respected survey research organizations in the country, regularly cited by major news outlets for political polling, public policy research, and social trend analysis. If you’ve watched election coverage on NBC or NPR, you’ve likely seen Marist Poll data. For students interested in political science, journalism, or data analysis, the poll offers hands-on research experience that few undergraduate institutions can match.
Study Abroad and the Florence Campus
Marist consistently ranks among the top schools in the nation for study abroad participation. For the 2023-2024 academic year, it ranked first in the country for academic-year study abroad programs, second for semester-long programs, and third for total number of students studying abroad, according to the Open Doors survey. It placed sixth for overall study abroad participation rate.
The centerpiece is Marist’s branch campus in Florence, Italy. It’s the only U.S. institution granting a full bachelor’s degree in Florence, which sets it apart from the hundreds of schools that simply offer a semester exchange. Students can study in Florence for a semester, a full year, or even complete their entire four-year degree there. Marist also runs a First-Year Florence Experience, where incoming freshmen spend their first college semester immersed in Italian culture, art, and language before transitioning to the main campus in New York.
Campus Setting and Student Life
Marist sits on 210 acres along the Hudson River, about 75 miles north of New York City. The location gives students access to the mid-Hudson Valley’s natural setting while keeping the city within reach for internships and weekend trips. The campus is midsize, with an undergraduate enrollment that creates a community feel without the anonymity of a large state university. Marist competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, with strong followings for sports like basketball and rowing.
Career Outcomes
Marist’s 94% placement rate within six months of graduation reflects the school’s emphasis on career preparation throughout the undergraduate experience. Alumni work at companies ranging from Google to major financial firms and media organizations. The combination of internship-friendly geography (proximity to New York City), the IBM technology pipeline, and applied programs in business and communications gives graduates practical credentials that translate directly into the job market. The school also offers professional practice doctorates and post-bachelor’s certificates for students who want to continue their education.