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Eckerd College

Eckerd College

Saint Petersburg, FL · City · 1,888 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$38,071
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
67%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
69% typical
$51,819
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$58,391 typical
76%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
64% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

Situated on a stunning waterfront campus in Saint Petersburg, Florida, Eckerd College is a premier liberal arts institution best known for its world-class programs in Marine Science, Environmental Studies, and Animal Behavior. The student experience is defined by a collaborative, outdoorsy, and relaxed campus culture where undergraduates take full advantage of a private beach and an active waterfront program offering sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. What truly sets Eckerd apart is its distinctive Autumn Term, which provides first-year students with a dedicated three-week academic and social transition before Fall classes begin, and its pioneer status as one of the nation's most pet-friendly campuses, complete with pet-friendly residence halls and an annual pet graduation ceremony.

Wikipedia:Eckerd College is a private liberal arts college in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. Founded in 1958, part of the campus is waterfront and beach on Boca Ciega Bay. Because of its location, Eckerd is considered a "beach school" and has its own student volunteer maritime search and rescue team. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and a member of the Annapolis group of national liberal arts colleges and the Oberlin Group of Libraries.

Location
Saint Petersburg, FL, 33711-4700 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
TPA · Tampa
20 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$51,884
Housing & food (on campus)$14,734
Books & supplies$1,350
Cost of attendance$70,668
Average net price$38,071
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$51,884
Housing & food (on campus)$14,734
Books & supplies$1,350
Cost of attendance$70,668
Average net price$38,071
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.eckerd.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
Eckerd College’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$54,270
Fees$766
Housing$8,194
Food$7,438
Books & supplies$1,350
Personal expenses$1,600
Transportation$1,500
Total published by the school$70,668
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$29,615
$30–48k
$34,524
$48–75k
$34,294
$75–110k
$35,840
$110k+
$43,955
Merit aid · 2024-25
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$19,528
First-years who got one158
Source: Eckerd College's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
67%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
59%
Back for yr 2
76%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
69% graduated · 22% transferred · 9% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$37,505
10 yrs after entry$51,819
Debt
Median at graduation$27,000
Monthly payment$286
Middle 50% owe$8k–$27k
90th percentile$32,000
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
76%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1250
R 600–690 · M 560–640
SAT middle 50%: 1160–1330
40080012001600

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at Eckerd College: Important (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: Eckerd College's Common Data Set for 2024-25 — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures.

If Eckerd College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 30%Women 70%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
11 : 1
Pell grant
21%
First-gen
20%
Family income
$77,695
Independent
12%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
2%
Race & ethnicity
White
75%
Hispanic
10%
Black
3%
Asian
2%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Sailing
    Women's · Co-ed
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$37,505
After 10 yrs
$51,819
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology84
Natural Resources Conservation and Research77
Zoology/Animal Biology62
Psychology, General46
Biology, General44
Communication and Media Studies17
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics17
Business Administration, Management and Operations17
Political Science and Government16
Business/Commerce, General16
Visual and Performing Arts, General14
Research and Experimental Psychology13
Anthropology13
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies9
Chemistry9
Marketing9
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$95M
Full-time faculty
89%
Faculty salary
$8,920/mo
Teaching spend
$17,363
per student
Federal loans
44%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate — arts & sciences
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if Eckerd College is the right fit for you?

SchoolScout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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