Eckerd College vs. SPU

Should I go to Eckerd College or Seattle Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Eckerd College or SPU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Eckerd College vs. Seattle Pacific University comparison
Eckerd College Seattle Pacific University College 3 College 4
Eckerd College Seattle Pacific University
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Overview

Eckerd College SPU
Location Saint Petersburg, FL Seattle, WA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 1,986 2,659
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #377 #246
Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA) Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website eckerd.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Eckerd College SPU
Tuition (In State) $49,668 $37,965
Tuition (Out of State) $49,668 $37,965
Room & Board $14,268 $15,498
Avg Net Price $40,122 $26,155
Avg Grant Aid $26,757 $28,070
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Eckerd College SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,664 2,806
Admitted 3,670 2,556
Acceptance Rate 78.7% 91.1%
Enrolled % 14.6% 14.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.8 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/29 20/28
SAT Range 1150/1336 1050/1320
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 11, 2026

Academics

Eckerd College SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (26%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Natural Resources Conservation (10%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

Eckerd College SPU
Graduation Rate 63% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,400 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $279 $264

Diversity

Eckerd College SPU
% Men 0% 6%
% Women 0% 16%
Racial Diversity Low Medium
HBCU No No
% White 76% 61%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 8% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 8%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Eckerd College SPU
% In-State 19% 71%
% Out-of-State 76% 26%

Campus

Eckerd College SPU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Seattle Pacific University is larger than than Eckerd College based on total student enrollment (2,659 students vs. 1,986 students)

Eckerd College vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eckerd College or SPU?

  • Eckerd College is 30.8% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($49,668.00 vs. $37,965.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.8% higher at Eckerd College than Seattle Pacific University ($49,668.00 vs. $37,965.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than Eckerd College ($26,155 vs. $40,122)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eckerd College are 8.6% lower than costs at Seattle Pacific University ($14,268 vs. $15,498)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Eckerd College than Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Seattle Pacific University students is 4.9% larger than aid received Eckerd College ($28,070 vs. $26,757)

Eckerd College vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eckerd College or SPU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SPU or Eckerd College .

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 11 points higher than at Eckerd College (1134)
  • Incoming Eckerd College students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at SPU (26)
  • Accepted freshman Eckerd College students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (91.1%) than Eckerd College (78.7%)

Eckerd College vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Eckerd College or SPU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SPU and Eckerd College.

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than Eckerd College (74% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn on average $2,000 more per year than Eckerd College graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $48,400)
  • Seattle Pacific University students graduate with a $1,397 lower median federal student loan debt than Eckerd College graduates. ($25,603 vs. $27,000)
  • SPU graduates are paying $15 less per month on federal student loans than Eckerd College graduates. ($264 vs. $279)
  • More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Eckerd College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/