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Eckerd College

Saint Petersburg, FL·Private nonprofit·1,984 students
Last updated: March 21, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

79%
Accept
1,984
Students
$33,011
Net Price
68%
Grad Rate
$46,700
Earnings
10 yr
$19,500
Debt

About This School

Eckerd College is a private nonprofit institution located in Saint Petersburg, Florida with approximately 1,984 undergraduate students enrolled. Eckerd College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 79%. The average net price after financial aid is $33,011 per year. The graduation rate is 68%, and the typical graduate earns $46,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

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.

This is a strong option for students who thrive in a small, laid-back liberal arts environment — the waterfront campus in St. Petersburg is genuinely distinctive, and the relatively low median debt of $19,500 at graduation is a real plus. That said, a 68% graduation rate signals that roughly 1 in 3 students don't finish, which is worth taking seriously, and median earnings of $46,700 a decade out are modest for the $33,011 annual net price tag. Worth considering if the environment and program fit are right, but go in with eyes open about the financial return.

Founded
1958
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Biological Sciences41%
Psychology11%
Business & Marketing10%
Social Sciences9%
Visual & Performing Arts4%
Physical Sciences3%
Communications3%
English2%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Dennis LehaneDorothy AllisonHank Green

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1256
Reading 75th %ile678
Math 75th %ile658

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$50,374
Out-of-State Tuition
$50,374
Avg Net Price
$33,011
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants16%
Median debt at graduation$19,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
68%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
77%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$46,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$36,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$46,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.4x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White76%
Black3%
Hispanic/Latino10%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,984 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Eckerd College

4200 54th Ave S

Saint Petersburg, FL 33711-4700

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Florida

Browse all Florida schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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