September 9, 2026 – Marist University today announced the Empire State Promise, a major new commitment that will give eligible New York families access to a private university education at a price competitive with New York’s leading public universities. Marist will cap the cost of tuition, housing, and dining at $32,000 for the year for eligible students.

The Empire State Promise is available to new first-year and transfer students from New York enrolling at Marist in 2027 and is designed for families with an adjusted gross income of $200,000 or less, giving students a clear, predictable price and access to all the advantages of a Marist education.

Marist created the Promise to address a persistent barrier in the college search: many New York families assume a selective private university is financially out of reach and limit their options.

“Talented students should be able to choose a university based on opportunity and outcomes, without being constrained by assumptions about cost,” said Marist President Kevin Weinman. “A Marist education prepares students to thrive in whatever they do. I’m proud to make this investment to help more students have access to the valuable and rewarding experiences that we offer, in and out of the classroom.”

Program Highlights and Eligibility
To qualify for Marist’s Empire State Promise, students must:

• Be a New York State resident with a household adjusted gross income of $200,000 or less;
• Enroll as a full-time student at Marist (minimum 12 credits/semester);
• Submit the FAFSA by required deadlines;
• Be a new student entering Marist in 2027; and 
• Meet and maintain all academic standards and program requirements.

The Empire State Promise renews up to four years. Families should review the full eligibility criteria online on the Empire State Promise website.

A Clear Price. The Full Marist Experience.
The Empire State Promise represents a commitment to price transparency and educational access, opening doors to all the benefits of a private university experience at a price competitive with New York’s leading public universities. The Promise builds upon Marist’s longstanding investment in access and student success – the University already distributes approximately $115 million in financial aid annually, and 99% of incoming first-year students receive scholarships and/or grants.

“The Empire State Promise expands access to an exceptional private university and sends a powerful message to talented students across New York: choose a college based on where you see opportunity, discover your best fit, and can envision your future, not by assumptions about what a private education may cost,” said Sean Kaylor, Vice President of Enrollment Management.

Students receiving the Empire State Promise will have the full Marist experience, including:

• Personalized support from faculty and staff; 
• Hands-on learning experiences and extensive internship and career preparation opportunities; 
• Access to top-ranked study abroad programs, including Marist’s Florence, Italy campus; 
• Proximity to New York City, which is only a 90-minute train ride from campus; and
• Proven outcomes – 94% of graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. 

The Promise comes as Marist continues to invest aggressively in academic excellence and student success through other recent initiatives including a major $100 million Science and Health Initiative, university-wide AI strategy for all majors, and opening of an Apple Authorized Campus Store to further strengthen Marist's position as a technology-forward institution.