Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Poughkeepsie, New York
64.7% Acceptance Rate
Marist University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
64.7%Acceptance Rate
3.56Avg GPA
1285Avg SAT
29Avg ACT
$63,898Annual Cost
$77,819Grad Salary
14.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
64.7%
Avg GPA
3.56
Avg SAT
1285
Avg ACT
29
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1220–1360
ACT Middle 50%
27–30
Need-Based Aid
14.7% receive Pell
Marist College, established in 1929 along New York's Hudson River, combines liberal arts with strong programs in technology, communication, and fashion.
The 180-acre campus features the Steel Plant Studios for digital media, the Fontaine Hall for fashion design, and the Hancock Center for student success. Its partnership with IBM supports cutting-edge technology education.
Marist University Acceptance Rate
Marist University takes a broad view of applicants, admitting about 64.7% each year.
What Marist University Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 64.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.56 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.36 – 3.55
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.11
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Marist University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Marist University is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 110 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 15
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 1
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
February 1
Decision by: April 1
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: January 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (Merit scholarship priority: 2025/11/15) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Marist University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Marist University is 3.56. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.26 and 3.56? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.76–3.96.Marist University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.56 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.36 – 3.55
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.16 – 3.35
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.15
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Marist officially became Marist University on January 29, 2025 (formerly Marist College); all current-cycle materials reflect the new name, but the change is not retroactive for alumni diplomas.
- Acceptance rate approximately 57% overall; ED I and EA (Nov. 15) acceptance rate approximately 67%; ED II and RD deadline February 15 - two binding ED rounds is relatively uncommon and gives applicants meaningful strategic flexibility.
- One required supplemental essay of 200?250 words (why Marist); counselor letter of recommendation required; teacher rec now optional for the fall cycle; test-optional policy applies to standard admission.
- Study abroad participation exceeds 50% of undergraduates; Marist ranked #1 among peer institutions for study abroad in a 2024 U.S. Department of State-sponsored report; Marist Italy is the only U.S. bachelor's degree-granting institution physically in Florence; First Year Abroad programs (Florence and Dublin) include a $5,000 scholarship and on-track graduation.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Marist University
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Marist University's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Marist University Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Marist University is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Marist University Without SAT or ACT?
Marist University considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Marist University Average SAT Score: 1285
The average SAT score of admitted students at Marist University is 1285 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1285 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1360 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Marist University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1220, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Marist University. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 635 | 600 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 655 | 620 | 690 |
| SAT Composite | 1285 | 1220 | 1360 |
Below 1220, you're behind most admitted students; at 1360 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1300
Can I get into Marist University with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of Marist University's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Marist University ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at Marist University is 29.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 29 — Competitive
This average is solidly above the national mean without being elite-tier.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 23 | 28 |
| ACT English | 28 | 25 | 30 |
| ACT Composite | 29 | 27 | 30 |
Can I get into Marist University with a 30 ACT?
A 30 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of Marist University's admitted students — a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections — English, Math, Reading, and Science — each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section (Science, especially, at STEM-focused schools) stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at Marist University.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Marist University
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Marist University is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Write the 200?250 Word "Why Marist" Essay With Granular Institutional Detail
Marist requires one supplemental essay of 200?250 words through the Common App supplement. Given the tight word count, generic "campus by the Hudson River" framing wastes space. The essay rewards students who demonstrate specific knowledge of Marist's structural offerings: the Marist/IBM Joint Study program (active since 1978, accessible from freshman summer), the First Year Abroad option in Florence or Dublin with its $5,000 scholarship, the ranked study abroad participation rate (over 50% of undergraduates), or the AACSB-accredited School of Management. Name the specific program, lab, or experiential track relevant to your major and tie it to a concrete academic or career goal.
Apply Early Decision I by November 15 to Meaningfully Improve Your Odds
Marist's overall acceptance rate is approximately 57%, but the ED I acceptance rate is roughly 67% - a statistically meaningful gap. Marist offers four decision cycles (ED I Nov. 15, EA Nov. 15, ED II Feb. 15, RD Feb. 15), which gives applicants unusual scheduling flexibility. For students confident in the fit, binding ED I submission is a genuine strategic lever. ED I applicants are also first in line for merit scholarship consideration, which matters because financial aid is not need-sensitive in Marist's admissions process.
Technology and CS Students: Position the IBM Joint Study as Your Specific Reason for Choosing Marist
Marist's partnership with IBM has been active since 1978 and gives undergraduates access to the Enterprise Computing Lab, IoT Lab, and Cloud Computing and Analytics Lab on campus, plus participation in IBM TechConnect conferences and pathways to IBM co-ops and full-time offers. Students as early as freshman summer have completed Joint Study projects and presented findings at international technical workshops. For computer science, data science, cybersecurity, and IT applicants, building your "why Marist" essay around this infrastructure demonstrates genuine research and signals a concrete plan for experiential learning from year one - not a generic interest in technology.
First Year Abroad Is a Real Academic Track, Not a Gap Year - Understand the Logistics Early
Marist's First Year Abroad program in Florence and Dublin earns full Marist credit and keeps students on track for graduation - over 95% of incoming students are eligible because the program covers most first-year major courses and all core curriculum disciplines. Students live in furnished apartments, take included day trips, and receive a $5,000 scholarship. Marist is also the only U.S. institution granting bachelor's degrees directly from its Florence campus (in eight majors). Students interested in FYA should flag this intent early in the application process, as FYA enrollment involves a workflow separate from standard Poughkeepsie campus admission.
Expert Insight:
The most common error among Marist applicants is writing a 200?250 word supplemental that could paste unchanged onto a Fordham, Quinnipiac, or Fairfield application. Marist became a university only on January 29, 2025, and its admissions readers are acutely aware that most "why us" essays will reference vague community-and-opportunity language rather than naming a real institutional feature. Any essay that doesn't name at least one specific Marist program - the IBM Joint Study, First Year Abroad, the Marist Poll research center, the Florence four-year degree option - reads as unfocused and suggests the student hasn't seriously researched the school.
Marist University Profile
Full Name
Marist University
City
Poughkeepsie
State
New York
ZIP Code
12601
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a Marist University Degree Worth It?
Whether Marist University is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $83,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.13%.
How much does a degree from Marist University Cost?
The sticker price is $63,898/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is typically much lower.
14.7% of students receive a Pell Grant and 63% take federal loans at Marist University — file your FAFSA early and list Marist University as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Marist University Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $77,819 — about 92% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Marist University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
| Eckerd College | Saint Petersburg, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach, FL | 1256 | 27 |
| Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL | 1263 | 28 |
| University of South Florida | Tampa, FL | 1235 | 27 |
| Covenant College | Lookout Mountain, GA | 1254 | 27 |
| Bradley University | Peoria, IL | 1237 | 28 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Marist University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 1287 | 28 |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego, CA | 1278 | 26 |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA | 1277 | 29 |
| United States Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | 1290 | 28 |
| University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 1277 | 27 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Marist University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | 1321 | 28 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 1318 | 28 |
| Hendrix College | Conway, AR | 1336 | 29 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 1353 | 30 |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder, CO | 1353 | 31 |
Degree Programs at Marist University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Marist University Admissions
Median graduate earnings at Marist University run about $77,819 a year.
At about $63,898 a year, Marist University's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
Marist University's Pell Grant rate of 14.7% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 64.7%, Marist University's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Marist University average a 3.56 GPA.
Marist University doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.26 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.16, Marist University becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Marist University — aim above 1285, ideally within the 1220–1360 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Marist University is November 15 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Merit scholarship priority: 2025/11/15. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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