Admit rate has ranged 49%–65% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Marist University, perched on the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, NY, blends rigorous academics with a strikingly scenic campus and a culture of hands-on learning. Known for its strong business and communications programs, Marist offers a selective but accessible admissions process and a robust study-abroad presence—including a Florence campus. With 94% of graduates employed or in grad school within six months, it delivers solid outcomes at a mid-tier private college price.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
5,182
In-state tuition
$47,750
Out-of-state tuition
$47,750
Top Majors
Business, Communications, Criminal Justice
Acceptance Rate
57–64.7%
Student-Faculty Ratio
16:1
6-Year Median Earnings
$62,546
Financial Aid Recipients
92%
Grad Outcomes (6 months)
94% employed/in grad school
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$77,819
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
1.9×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
80%
First-year retention
86%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
79%
Pell (lower-income) share
31%
First-generation share
19%
Endowment / student
$90,368
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$79,389
Computer and Information Sciences, General$73,769
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions$72,509
Accounting and Related Services$60,623
Economics$57,318
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
13
Per 1,000 students
2.51
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
88
Summer high
83°F
Winter low
24°F
Annual rain
52.2"
Annual snow
31.8"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
82
Scholarly works
2,272
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Marist University?
Marist University's acceptance rate is approximately 57% (Poughkeepsie, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Marist University?
Admitted students at Marist University typically score 1190–1340 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Marist University cost?
At Marist University, the average net price (after aid) is about $41,544 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Marist University?
Marist University enrolls approximately 5,182 undergraduate students.
Where is Marist University located?
Marist University is located in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Admissions
Marist strikes a balance between selectivity and accessibility, with an Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. hovering around 57% (per CollegeData) or 64.7% (per BigFuture), depending on the year and source. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1210–1330 on the SAT or 27–31 on the ACT ([Accepted Student Profile](https://www.marist.edu/admission/undergraduate/accepted-student-profile)), though test scores are optional for most applicants. Notably, international students are categorized as 'Nonresidents' in admissions data ([Common Data Set (CDS)A standardized report most colleges publish each year with admissions, test-score, and financial-aid figures, making schools easier to compare. 2021–22](https://www.marist.edu/documents/d/guest/commondataset-ir), p. 4). The university accepts the Common Application but doesn’t disclose early decision/action stats in recent CDS reports.
Marist’s academic identity revolves around its 'power of ' philosophy—combining classroom rigor with experiential learning like internships, research, and study abroad ([Marist.edu](https://www.marist.edu/)). The most popular majors are , with biology also drawing significant interest ([US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/marist-university-2765/academics), [CollegeRaptor](https://www.collegeraptor.com/colleges/majors/Marist-University-NY--192819)). The ([Sallie](https://www.sallie.com/colleges/search/marist-college)) supports close mentorship, and the university’s Florence campus offers a distinctive global dimension. Programs emphasize 'immersive opportunities,' from service learning to tech-infused coursework in its School of Computer Science.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$51,464
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations$49,344
Design and Applied Arts$49,270
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at Marist balances academic focus with Hudson Valley charm. Over 100 clubs range from ski trips to apple-picking outings ([Marist Circle](https://www.maristcircle.com/opinion/2025/8/28/student-life-at-marist), [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/marist/comments/gaj4wz/whats_marist_like/)). The campus is regularly praised for its beauty (Instagram showcases its riverfront vistas), and the Office of Student Life promotes leadership and 'healthy behaviors' ([Student Life](https://www.marist.edu/student-life)). The Florence branch adds a cosmopolitan twist, with housing and cultural programming in Italy ([Marist-LdM](https://www.marist.edu/italy/student-life)). Niche reviews highlight a collaborative, outdoorsy vibe, with easy access to wineries and hiking.
Marist delivers strong ROI: 94% of graduates are employed or in grad school within six months ([ASW Careers](https://www.marist.edu/asw-careers-outcomes)). Median earnings hit $62,546 six years post-enrollment—43% above the national average ([EDsmart](https://www.edsmart.org/schools/marist-university/))—with ten-year alumni averaging $59,000 ([CollegeSimply](https://www.collegesimply.com/colleges/new-york/marist-college/salaries/)). The Wall Street Journal ranked Marist for salary impact and graduation rates ([WSJ 2025](https://www.marist.edu/w/wsj-2025-ranking)), though early-career pay is modest (~$36,427 one year out, per Niche).
Tuition sits at $46,301 net price after aid ([US News](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/marist-university-2765/paying)), with 92% of students receiving assistance ([Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. Calculator](https://www.marist.edu/financial-aid/net-price-calculator)). The average aid package is $22,361 ([BigFuture](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/marist-college/tuition-and-costs)), though lower-income families (<$30K) pay closer to $26,083 ([CollegeIQ](https://collegeiq.com/colleges/marist-college/financials)). Marist distributes $91M+ annually in aid, but costs remain steep for middle-income students.
Marist’s Hudson Valley setting—equal parts serene and vibrant—shapes its identity, offering apple orchards and NYC proximity. Its Florence campus provides rare global immersion for a mid-sized university, while programs like its 'Tech Bootcamps' bridge liberal arts with workforce needs. The 94% outcomes rate defies its tier, and the Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy broadens access. For students seeking a hands-on, scenic college experience with solid ROI, Marist punches above its weight.
Marist University logo · sourceAbout | Get to the Campus - Marist University · sourceMarist College Campus Plan — Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP · sourceCAMPUS ITINERARY: MARIST UNIVERSITY · source
