Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Saint Petersburg, Florida |
| Online | eckerd.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Midsize City |
| Religious Affiliation | Presbyterian Church (USA) |
| Size | Small |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad |
Eckerd College is a private liberal arts institution situated on a waterfront campus along Florida's Gulf Coast in Saint Petersburg, occupying 188 acres of tropical landscape with direct access to beaches and marine facilities. Founded in 1958 as Florida Presbyterian College, the institution was renamed in 1972 after businessman Jack Eckerd, and maintains its historical connection to the Presbyterian Church while operating as a nonsectarian college. The campus features Mediterranean-style architecture with residential facilities that house most students in waterfront dormitories and complexes. Academic programs emphasize marine science, environmental studies, and international relations, with distinctive features including a first-year program requiring all students to participate in winter term service projects. The college operates its own research vessel and marine science center, supporting its nationally recognized marine biology and oceanography programs, while maintaining a selective admission process for its undergraduate-only student body.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Eckerd College is rated within the top 39% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Eckerd College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#377 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#275 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#7 in Best Colleges in Florida
#5 in Best Private Colleges in Florida
#565 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#14 in Best Value Colleges in Florida
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1150/1336 |
| ACT | 24/29 |
| GPA | 3.8 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $50 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,350 |
| Other Fees | $706 |
| Room and Board | $14,268 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,100 |
| Total One Year Cost | $69,092 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 26% |
| Biology | 14% |
| Social Sciences | 11% |
| Natural Resources Conservation | 10% |
| Psychology | 10% |
Other Colleges to Consider
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Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=133492 IPEDS survey data for Eckerd College.
Current students may use the Eckerd College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025