About Marist College

At Marist, we recognize that those of us who have been blessed by good fortune have an obligation to give back, and that’s why our commitment to social justice and serving others runs so deep. As an institution, Marist supports a wide variety of programs to meet the community’s needs and broaden access to education. We also encourage our students to get involved in community service – not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s also good preparation for life.

History & Heritage

Just over a century ago, the Marist Brothers came to New York’s Hudson River Valley to train young men to continue the Brothers’ vocation as great educators. What started as a seminary for the training of future Marist Brothers has developed into one of the leading colleges of the arts and sciences in the country.

Now nonsectarian in nature, Marist is home to approximately 5,037 traditional undergraduate men and women, 958 full and part-time graduate students, and 400 adult students. In 1947, the first graduating class of modern-day Marist consisted of four Marist Brothers. Today, more than 38,000 alumni and alumnae in 75 countries around the world call Marist alma mater. Marist has a proud tradition that laid the foundation for a state-of-the-art campus for students preparing to enter the work force of the 21st century.

Marist follows in the tradition of many great institutions that were founded as seminaries and developed into independent academies of higher learning.

Marist at a Glance

Located on the banks of the historic Hudson River and at its Florence, Italy branch campus, Marist is a comprehensive, independent institution grounded in the liberal arts. Marist is consistently recognized for excellence by The Princeton Review (Colleges That Create Futures and The Best 384 Colleges), U.S. News & World Report (8th Best Regional University/North), Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (“Best College Values”), and others. Marist educates 6,657 total students across undergraduate and graduate in over 90 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations and numerous graduate programs, including fully online MPA, MS, MA, and an accredited MBA program.

Marist College Mission Statement

“Marist is dedicated to helping students develop the intellect, character, and skills required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century.”

Values Statement

The College fulfills its mission by pursuing three ideals: excellence in education, a sense of community, and a commitment to service. These ideals were handed down to us by the Marist Brothers who founded the College. Now an independent institution governed by a lay board of trustees, Marist continues to embrace the three ideals as an integral part of the College mission.

Florence Campus

Marist Branch Campus in Florence, Italy

Partnered with Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici for the past four decades, Marist offers several bachelor degrees, a master’s degree program, a one-year, study-abroad Freshman Florence Experience (FFE), traditional semester study abroad for Marist juniors and seniors, and the Pre-College program for rising high school juniors and seniors.

Marist and Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici share a similar vision and mission in their approaches to education. These core values, of excellence in education, the importance of community, and the principle of service, are the foundation for this unique partnership.

Marist-LdM Branch Campus in Florence, Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici is authorized by the Ministry of Public Education in Italy, in addition to being an accredited member of many European and international educational organizations. LdM holds private agreements with all major Florence museums for student access to exclusive sites, artworks, and other events with additional campuses in Rome, Tuscania, and Venice.

Marist-LdM is an official branch campus recognized by Marist’s accrediting body the Middle States Association of Higher Education. The degrees offered by Marist-LdM are U.S. University Degrees granted with all the same rights and privileges as those issued at Marist’s Main Campus.

Marist College’s Mission

Marist is dedicated to helping students develop the intellect and character required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century.

Istituto Lorenzo De’ Medici’s Mission

Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici is committed to providing a high-quality education that enables students to realize their own potential, develop and apply their creativity, and interact successfully with the community worldwide.