
Molloy University was founded in 1955 in Rockville Centre, New York, by the Dominican Sisters of Amityville. Its original focus was undergraduate education for women; the institution later became coeducational and expanded into graduate and professional programs.
Known for most of its history as Molloy College, it adopted the name Molloy University in 2022. The change reflected its broader range of programs, particularly in health care, education, business, and the liberal arts. Its Dominican and Catholic origins remain part of its stated institutional identity.
Molloy University organizes its academic programs across arts and sciences, business, education and human services, and nursing and health sciences. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees rather than serving solely as a nursing or teacher-training institution.
Prospective undergraduates can explore fields such as biology, psychology, communication, computer science, accounting, and criminal justice. Professional fields include nursing, education, social work, and communication disorders; some have additional admission, clinical-placement, or licensure requirements. Applicants should check the requirements for their specific program, since admission to the university and entry into a particular professional track are not necessarily the same decision.
Molloy University's main campus is in Rockville Centre, a Long Island village in Nassau County, New York. It has a suburban setting within reach of New York City.
The Rockville Centre station on the Long Island Rail Road provides a rail option for commuters, although the trip between the station and campus requires separate planning. Driving and parking may be more practical for some students, particularly those traveling to clinical, internship, or field placements. First-year students are permitted to park on campus. Applicants whose programs use additional instructional or placement sites should confirm where their classes and required experiences will actually take place.
Molloy describes its educational mission through its Catholic and Dominican heritage, with an emphasis on learning, service, community, and respect for human dignity. These are the university's stated priorities, not measures of an individual student's experience.
The institution combines liberal-arts study with preparation for careers and graduate education. Students considering Molloy for a professional program may find it useful to examine how general education, service opportunities, and fieldwork fit into that program's curriculum. Its religious affiliation is also relevant to understanding campus programming, but applicants should look at the requirements of their chosen degree rather than assume that every course or activity is religious in nature.
Name of the institution
Molloy UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
5,000 - 9,999Religious affiliation
Catholic (Roman Catholic Church)School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
4-1-4Foundation year
1955Molloy University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarshipData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.