Eckerd College vs. Palm Beach Atlantic

Comparable Facts

Compare Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, FL with Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Palm Beach Atlantic University is larger than Eckerd College based on total student enrollment (4,147 students vs. 1,893 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eckerd College is located in Saint Petersburg, FL (Midsize City setting); Palm Beach Atlantic University is in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting).
• Eckerd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eckerd College 11:1; Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1.

Eckerd College vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eckerd College or Palm Beach Atlantic? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Palm Beach Atlantic University than Eckerd College ($31,231 vs. $43,884).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach Atlantic University are 6.3% lower than at Eckerd College ($13,800 vs. $14,734).
• Eckerd College is 27.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palm Beach Atlantic (about $11,234 more per year; $51,884.00 vs. $40,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at Eckerd College than at Palm Beach Atlantic University (about $11,234 more per year; $51,884.00 vs. $40,650.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Eckerd College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eckerd College students is 10.3% larger than aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students ($24,813 vs. $22,493).

Eckerd College vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eckerd College or Palm Beach Atlantic? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Palm Beach Atlantic and Eckerd College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eckerd College (1250) is 160 points higher than at Palm Beach Atlantic (1090).
• Incoming Eckerd College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at Palm Beach Atlantic).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eckerd College 1160/1330; Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eckerd College 24/29; Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eckerd College - Test optional; Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Eckerd College students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at Palm Beach Atlantic (3.36).
• Palm Beach Atlantic has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than Eckerd College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Eckerd College vs. 9.9% at Palm Beach Atlantic.

Eckerd College vs. Palm Beach Atlantic Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eckerd College and Palm Beach Atlantic? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Eckerd College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Palm Beach Atlantic University's (58%).
• Graduates from Eckerd College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palm Beach Atlantic University graduates have a $4,296 lower median loan debt than Eckerd College graduates ($22,704 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Palm Beach Atlantic graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eckerd College graduates ($234 vs. $279).
• More Eckerd College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach Atlantic students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.