A magnetic carbon-coated Fe-C/N composite was synthesized by a simple impregnation method and its performance in activating persulfate (PS) to degrade Acid Red 73 (AR 73) was investigated. The as-prepared carbon coated Fe-C/N hybrid material was characterized via transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectra, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectrum. Degradation experiments showed that 98.11% of AR 73 could be degraded in 10 min, but its COD was partly removed. The effects of initial reaction pH and temperature were also evaluated. An increase of temperature was beneficial for the removal of AR 73, while the increase of pH had an opposite result. The activation energy of the AR 73 degradation was determined to be 46.12 KJ/mol, smaller than those in relative literatures. The recycling test showed that the carbon-coated Fe-C/N composite had good stability. The mechanism study indicated that the catalytic performance of Fe-C/N was due to the synergistic effect between Fe3C and Fe3N, and the N doped carbon shell suppressed the rate of Fe leaching, thus enhancing its stability.