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Aerial view of Maria College of Albany
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic college

Maria College of Albany

  • LocationAlbany, NY
  • Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 752 students
  • SponsorSisters of Mercy
  • TraditionMercy
Official website

Maria College is a small college in Albany, New York, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and founded in 1958. Its Pastoral Care office offers spiritual guidance and programming to students of all beliefs. Bachelor's students take Foundations of Social Justice (RES 201), which applies Catholic social teaching to service, and the college runs an emergency food assistance program.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Maria College of Albany, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.5 mi1 mi2 miMarian Hall: 0.1 mi1Parish of Mater Christi: 0.4 mi2Saint Vincent De Paul Roman Catholic Church: 1.1 mi3All Saints Catholic Church: 1.5 mi4Church of the Blessed Sacrament: 1.7 mi5Saint Francis of Assisi Parish: 1.7 mi6Pastoral Care, Maria College: 0.1 miMaria College of Albany (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Marian Hall — 0.1 mi
  2. Parish of Mater Christi — 0.4 mi · 40 Hopewell Street, Albany
  3. Saint Vincent De Paul Roman Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 900 Madison Avenue, Albany
  4. All Saints Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 16 Homestead Street, Albany
  5. Church of the Blessed Sacrament — 1.7 mi · 607 Central Avenue, Albany
  6. Saint Francis of Assisi Parish — 1.7 mi · 391 Delaware Avenue, Albany

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Weekday Mass on campus during the academic yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Sunday Mass on campus (including Saturday vigil)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Scheduled confession on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adorationNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Priests serving studentsNo priest identified in campus ministry (The Pastoral Care staff listedare a Sister (Mission Officer) and an unnamed Pastoral Care Minister.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Pastoral Care | Maria Collegemariacollege.edu/student-support/spiritual-support/pastoral-care · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sr. Joan Mary Hartigan, CSJ Mission Officer”
      Sr. Joan Mary Hartigan, CSJ is listed as Mission Officer on the Pastoral Care page; the page names no priest.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Chapel open for prayer on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adorationNot enough information: no verified Mass times are recorded.
DTheology and core curriculum: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and core curriculum

44 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Theology or religious studies courses required of all bachelor's studentsOne course (Minimum across the bachelor's programs: RES 201 is the one religious studies course required of all bachelor's students. Some programs add a Religious Studies/Philosophy elective.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Maria College Academic Catalog 2026-2027mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Religious Studies (3 credits): RES 201”
      The Public Health BS requires RES 201 as its religious studies course.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required theology includes explicitly Catholic content (Scripture, Catholic tradition, sacraments)At least one required course is explicitly Catholic theology (RES 201 Foundations of Social Justice is required of all bachelor's students, and its description says students apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Recorded.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Maria College Academic Catalog 2026-2027mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching as a motivation and context for service and advocacy.”
      RES 201 Foundations of Social Justice applies Catholic social teaching as a motivation and context for service and advocacy.
      “examine philosophical and theological theories within the Catholic, religious and secular traditions.”
      RES 201 has students examine theological theories within the Catholic, religious and secular traditions.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Philosophy courses required of all bachelor's studentsOne course (Minimum across the bachelor's programs: Public Health requires PHI 101 (3 credits). Health and Occupational Sciences and Healthcare Management require PHI 300 Health Care Ethics. Liberal Arts requires two philosophy courses.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Maria College Academic Catalog 2026-2027mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Philosophy (3 credits): PHI 101”
      The Public Health BS requires PHI 101 Introduction to Philosophy.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Core curriculum explicitly draws on the Catholic intellectual traditionNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Theology or religious studies major offeredNo (The catalog's complete list of degree programs includes no theology or religious studies major.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Maria College Academic Catalog 2026-2027mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bachelor of Arts (BA) • Liberal Arts – HEGIS 4901.00 Bachelor of Science (BS) • Health and Occupational Sciences – HEGIS 1201.00”
      The catalog's list of programs offered includes no theology or religious studies major.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Publicly affirms Ex Corde Ecclesiae in mission or governance documentsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
N/ACampus culture and residence life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture and residence life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffing (chaplains, ministers, and professional staff)One (One named professional staff member (Sr. Joan Mary Hartigan, CSJ, Mission Officer) is listed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Pastoral Care | Maria Collegemariacollege.edu/student-support/spiritual-support/pastoral-care · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Sr. Joan Mary Hartigan, CSJ Mission Officer”
      Sr. Joan Mary Hartigan, CSJ is listed as Mission Officer on the Pastoral Care page; the page names no priest.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Retreats offered to students each yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic student organizations and faith-formation groupsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Single-sex residence optionsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Overnight guest policy in residence hallsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith life in residence halls (hall chaplains, hall Masses, or faith-based living communities)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Office or senior officer for mission and Catholic identityNot enough information: not found in official sources.
BService and Catholic social teaching: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Service and Catholic social teaching

76 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Service or volunteer centerNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Service-learning or community engagement in the curriculumAvailable (courses or programs) (PBH 410 Service Learning is a required course in the Public Health BS program; it is not required of all students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Maria College Academic Catalog 2026-2027mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “PBH 410 Service Learning (3 credits)”
      PBH 410 Service Learning is a 3-credit course in the Public Health BS program.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching in the curriculum (course, minor, center, or core requirement)Part of the required core (RES 201 is required of all bachelor's students and its description names the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Maria College Academic Catalog 2026-2027mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching as a motivation and context for service and advocacy.”
      RES 201 Foundations of Social Justice applies Catholic social teaching as a motivation and context for service and advocacy.
      “examine philosophical and theological theories within the Catholic, religious and secular traditions.”
      RES 201 has students examine theological theories within the Catholic, religious and secular traditions.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (student pro-life group, support for pregnant and parenting students, or institutional initiatives)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersion trips, poverty, migration, or care-for-creation initiatives)One (One poverty-relief program found: EFARM, the emergency food assistance program for students.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Emergency Food Assistance Resources at Maria (EFARM) | Maria Collegemariacollege.edu/student-support/personal-support/food-pantry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During the 2025–2026 academic year, EFARM provided assistance 279 times, supporting 122 individual students with grocery assistance when they needed it most.”
      EFARM provided grocery assistance to 122 students during the 2025-2026 academic year.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Service explicitly rooted in the Catholic mission (run with campus ministry or the mission office, or framed by Catholic social teaching)Yes (Service is framed by Catholic social teaching in RES 201 (service and advocacy).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Maria College Academic Catalog 2026-2027mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching as a motivation and context for service and advocacy.”
      RES 201 Foundations of Social Justice applies Catholic social teaching as a motivation and context for service and advocacy.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Pastoral Care offers spiritual direction and spiritual and emotional support to students, staff and faculty of all beliefs.
    Sources (2)
    1. Pastoral Care | Maria Collegemariacollege.edu/student-support/spiritual-support/pastoral-care · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Pastoral Care provides for the enrichment of the spiritual and emotional lives of Maria College’s staff, faculty, and students, respectful of their cultural and religious backgrounds.”
      Pastoral Care serves the spiritual and emotional lives of staff, faculty and students.
    2. Spiritual Support | Maria Collegemariacollege.edu/student-support/spiritual-support · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Available to students and staff, the College’s pastoral services provide individuals, of all beliefs, with spiritual guidance and support.”
      Pastoral services offer spiritual guidance and support to individuals of all beliefs.
  • Every bachelor's program requires Foundations of Social Justice (RES 201), which applies Catholic social teaching to service and advocacy.
    Sources (1)
    1. Maria College Academic Catalog 2026-2027mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Students will apply the principles of Catholic Social Teaching as a motivation and context for service and advocacy.”
      RES 201 Foundations of Social Justice applies Catholic social teaching as a motivation and context for service and advocacy.
  • The college runs an emergency food assistance program for students (EFARM).
    Sources (1)
    1. Emergency Food Assistance Resources at Maria (EFARM) | Maria Collegemariacollege.edu/student-support/personal-support/food-pantry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During the 2025–2026 academic year, EFARM provided assistance 279 times, supporting 122 individual students with grocery assistance when they needed it most.”
      EFARM provided grocery assistance to 122 students during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Concerns

  • The catalog's list of degree programs includes no theology or religious studies major.
    Sources (1)
    1. Maria College Academic Catalog 2026-2027mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Bachelor of Arts (BA) • Liberal Arts – HEGIS 4901.00 Bachelor of Science (BS) • Health and Occupational Sciences – HEGIS 1201.00”
      The catalog's list of programs offered includes no theology or religious studies major.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Pastoral Care, Maria College

  • Address: 700 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: mariacollege.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, mariacollege.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

1 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 1 location not published

Faith formation 1

  • Pastoral Care spiritual direction and ongoing spiritual development programming
    Spiritual direction and programming for ongoing spiritual development, open to staff, faculty and students of all beliefs.
    mariacollege.edu, mariacollege.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Pastoral Care | Maria Collegemariacollege.edu/student-support/spiritual-support/pastoral-care · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Pastoral Care provides for the enrichment of the spiritual and emotional lives of Maria College’s staff, faculty, and students, respectful of their cultural and religious backgrounds.”
    Pastoral Care serves the spiritual and emotional lives of staff, faculty and students.
    “Sr. Joan Mary Hartigan, CSJ Mission Officer”
    Sr. Joan Mary Hartigan, CSJ is listed as Mission Officer on the Pastoral Care page; the page names no priest.
    “Pastoral Care provides for the enrichment of the spiritual and emotional lives of Maria College’s staff, faculty, and students, respectful of their cultural and religious backgrounds.”
    Pastoral Care serves the spiritual and emotional lives of staff, faculty and students.
  2. Maria College Academic Catalog 2026-2027mariacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/26-27-Academic-Catalog.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Maria College, Student Financial Services 700 New Scotland Avenue Albany, NY 12208”
    The college's street address is 700 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208.

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Contact details for Sr. Joan Mary Hartigan, CSJ (Mission Officer (listed on the Pastoral Care page)) and the campus ministry are available to signed-in users.

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Academic Excellence

DAcademic Excellence: Limited (grade D): 40 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
42 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.30%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.33%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.Not reported
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.6 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$12,077

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
703
Total students752
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
$13,082
Cost of attendance (per year)$21,798
Median federal debt at graduation$20,528
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
30%
First-year retention33%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$55,458
Admission rate44%
Students receiving Pell grants56%

Value index: 51 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Albany

The Most Reverend Mark O'Connell, Bishop of Albany

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: rcda.org, rcda.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Maria College of Albany a Catholic college?
Yes. Maria College of Albany is a Catholic college in the Diocese of Albany. Its sponsor is Sisters of Mercy.

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