Hudson Valley, New York is a hidden gem when it comes to college destinations for students. Hudson Valley’s Gilded Age history and scenery offers a mix of strong academic institutions, country beauty, and close proximity to New York City, making it an underrated option for applicants. On The College Sage road trip, we visited the gorgeous campuses of Marist University, Vassar College, and the Culinary Institute of America New York at Hyde Park. Follow our travels through the Hudson Valley in New York; we think you’ll love these colleges! For more information on New York college options, be sure to contact thecollegesage.com.
Vassar College
Vassar College is a small liberal arts college with a population of around 2,400 undergraduate students nestled in the charming Hudson Valley town of Poughkeepsie, New York. The campus is only two hours north of New York City by train, and was the first stop on our road trip. Arriving onto the campus, we were met with beautiful brick and stone buildings amongst over 200 species of old-growth trees within the arboretum campus. The blend of historic architecture with its progressive history makes it a place where tradition meets curiosity.
Matthew Vassar, a brewer and philanthropist, founded the college in 1861. Vassar was part of the original Seven Sisters colleges and was one of the first in the United States to offer women a full liberal arts education on par with men. Although the school officially became co-ed in 1969, the commitment to equity and empowerment still radiates throughout the campus.
Admission into Vassar is competitive, with an 18% acceptance rate and a middle 50% SAT range of 1460-1520. Academically, Vassar leans into intellectual curiosity. The college has no core curriculum, giving students incredible freedom to explore and create their own academic journey. The college’s dedication to student success is reflected through their small class sizes, averaging at a 17 student class size. All classes are taught by professors and interdisciplinary studies are very popular. English, Psychology, Biology, and Drama are some of the most popular majors.
Walking around, you can feel the spirit of activism and conversation in the air. It’s not uncommon to see student led events about social issues or campus wide celebrations of identity and culture. It’s no surprise that a Brewer is a very fitting mascot for the school, because after spending a day among the Gothic arches, sun-drenched quads, and passionate conversations, you’ll feel like you’ve had a taste of something rich, bold, and thoughtfully crafted.
Marist University
Less than a 15 minute drive down the road from Vassar is Marist University. We were immediately impressed with the campus. The school sits perched above the Hudson River, offering beautiful views and a campus that feels more like a retreat than your typical college setting. Many newly and tastefully constructed buildings, crisp green lawns, and Adirondacks chairs facing the water accommodate the 5,000 and growing population of undergraduate students.
Marist was founded in 1929 by the Catholic Marist Brothers as a school to train educators but we note that the university is now independent from the Catholic Church. That said, the brothers would be happy to learn that the school is ranked #4 in the North region for best undergraduate teaching! While it maintains a legacy of value based learning, today Marist is a forward thinking liberal arts college that blends tradition with innovation. With its strong ties to professional industries and an academic approach that emphasizes hands-on experience, students are actively preparing for life beyond college from day one.
Students describe the academic environment as collaborative, not cutthroat. Class sizes are small, professors are accessible, and programs are abundant. Some of Marist’s strongest programs include Fashion, Communication, Business, and Computer Science. Their campus in Florence, Italy makes study abroad feel seamless, and very attractive to students. No wonder they lead the nation as the #1 school for study abroad!
Students are involved in everything from research conferences, to media productions, to Division 1 athletics, offering something for every type of student. Marist has a “family atmosphere”, the tight knit feel of the campus has led many students to return as alumni mentors or employees.
Marist’s setting offers a peaceful, suburban campus with easy access to the city. If you are looking for a college experience that is grounded in a liberal arts education but wired for the future, Marist just might be your perfect match.
Culinary Institute of America New York at Hyde Park
Just three minutes up the road from Marist sits The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) New York at Hyde Park. North of Poughkeepsie, nestled along the Hudson River, CIA is not your typical college campus. Immediately as you step onto the grounds, you are greeted by the aroma of freshly baked bread, simmering sauces, and the fast paced energy of students in chef jackets moving between kitchens. Even the road crossing signs have figures wearing chef hats! CIA is one of the world’s premier culinary colleges, combining the feel of an elite university with a lively professional kitchen. The Hudson Valley campus is beautiful, containing unique buildings and views of the river.
The centerpiece of campus is Roth Hall, named after CIA co-founder Frances Roth. This incredible building is where students spend the majority of their 1,300 plus hands-on hours in kitchens and bakeshops. Instead of lecture halls and labs, you’re more likely to find industrial kitchens and on campus restaurants in the buildings surrounding Roth Hall.
The CIA is hands-on learning at its finest. From the first day of instruction, students are in the kitchen, slicing, baking, plating, and tasting. They offer degrees in fields like Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, Food Business Management, and Culinary Science. Faculty at the institute includes award winning chefs, focusing on preparing students for the real culinary world.
Whether you’re looking to become a Michelin-star chef, a hospitality entrepreneur, or a food media specialist, the CIA offers an unmatched launchpad. And with alumni like Anthony Bourdain, Duff Goldman, and Cat Cora, you’re in impressive company.
