September 17, 2024 — Marist College has earned a spot on the prestigious Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025 ranking of the best U.S. colleges, a testament to its commitment to preparing students for success after graduation. This ranking assesses how effectively colleges and universities enhance students' chances of graduating and succeeding in the workforce, combined with student feedback on campus life.

Only 500 schools in the country make the cut, and the rankings evaluate three main components: student outcomes, learning environment, and diversity. Student outcomes focus on salary impact, time to pay off net price, and graduation rates. Learning environment and diversity assess opportunities for career preparation, student satisfaction, and inclusion of students from various backgrounds.

The individual attention students receive at Marist and multifaceted approach to supporting their career preparation is reflected in Marist’s 95% success rate, which is the percentage of graduates employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. The College’s emphasis on experiential learning — 86% of the most recent graduating class participated in at least one internship during their time at Marist — also contributes to this distinction.

Students at 2024 Career and Internship Fair. Photo by Nelson Echeverria/Marist College.

Center for Career Services Supports Long-term Success
A driving force behind students’ career readiness and success is the Center for Career Services, which provides valuable support to students, helping them transition smoothly from college into the workforce through a wide array of opportunities.

“We recognize the competitive job market and offer students industry insights and valuable connections with alumni and employers through networking events, company site visits, career fairs, and employer sessions,” said Dr. Mary Jones, Executive Director of Career Services.

“We’re proud to offer this robust variety of opportunities to prepare students for internships, jobs, and post-graduate success.”

Dr. Mary Jones works with a student on career planning. Photo by Yasmeen Anderson Photography for Marist College.

From resume building and LinkedIn optimization to preparing for interviews, these comprehensive services are also deeply personalized.

Madison Arrighi '25 has directly benefitted from these services.

“The team at the Center for Career Services has been instrumental in my success at Marist College,” said the human biology major and psychology minor. “Through drop-in hours and personalized meetings with the career coaches, I was able to craft a resume that helped me secure internships, research opportunities, and opened the door for graduate education in health care.”

Inspired by the guidance she received, Madison applied to become a Peer Career Ambassador, a role that allows her to help her fellow students take advantage of the same resources that propelled her forward. 

“I hope to help my peers achieve the same success and gratitude that I have for these services,” she added.

It is this continuation of peer guidance, networking, and personalized approaches that make Marist one of the top schools for career preparedness in the nation.