Marist University Recognized as One of The 15 Best Colleges in U.S. Preparing Students for AI Economy
April 16, 2026 鈥� Marist University has been named one of 鈥�The 15 Best Colleges Preparing Students for the AI Economy,鈥� recognized for its distinctive, values-driven approach to artificial intelligence education. The list was published in Town & Country and highlights Marist鈥檚 鈥渁nd, not or鈥� philosophy, which intentionally integrates technical training with ethical reflection, intellectual curiosity, and character development.
Through opportunities such as the University鈥檚 new Applied Artificial Intelligence minor鈥攐pen to students from any major鈥擬arist ensures that AI education is both accessible and interdisciplinary, blending hands-on learning with exploration of the societal and ethical implications of emerging technologies.
The 15 schools making the list include:
- Arizona State University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Colby College
- Dartmouth College
- Florida Atlantic University
- Lake Forest College
- Marist University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Ohio State University
- Purdue University
- Santa Clara University
- University of Florida
- University of Richmond
- University of Southern California
- University of Texas at Austin
Town & Country also highlights Marist鈥檚 broad range of AI鈥慽nfused electives, including Human鈥慍omputer Interaction, Online Culture, and Writing in the Digital Age, as well as its student鈥憆un AI Club, which fosters an inclusive, collaborative learning environment. Beyond the classroom, the University鈥檚 leadership is further exemplified by the annual Hudson Valley Artificial Intelligence Summit, bringing together innovators, policymakers, and scholars to examine the ethical application of AI in real鈥憌orld settings.
According to the publication鈥檚 methodology, institutions were selected based on strong undergraduate AI pathways, interdisciplinary integration, leadership in AI ethics and governance, and robust opportunities for hands-on, real-world application鈥攁reas in which Marist鈥檚 model clearly stood out.
