For those who love learning, Dutchess County is a choice community, committed to offering a wide range of quality academic and vocational institutions and other educational opportunities for both young and old. These educational choices go a long way toward helping to shape the quality of life in the county where top-notch institutions offer lifelong learning.

Colleges have an enormous financial impact on the county, attracting more than $200 million dollars into the local economy each year. In addition to their overall academic excellence, they are a boon for businesses, they have forged dynamic links with high-tech employers in Dutchess County that have led to many innovative business initiatives. Examples include the Hendersen Computer Center at Bard, co-developed with IBM, and ExceLink, the Small Business Network at Marist, which provides participating companies with access to information and advice on an interactive basis.