Eckerd College vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Eckerd College in Saint Petersburg, FL with University of South Florida in Tampa, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Florida is larger than Eckerd College based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 1,893 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eckerd College is located in Saint Petersburg, FL (Midsize City setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• Eckerd College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eckerd College 11:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

Eckerd College vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Eckerd College or USF Main Campus? 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 University of South Florida than Eckerd College ($11,579 vs. $43,884).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 2% lower than at Eckerd College ($14,440 vs. $14,734).
• Eckerd College is 709.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $45,474 more per year; $51,884.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 199.5% higher at Eckerd College than at University of South Florida (about $34,560 more per year; $51,884.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eckerd College than at University of South Florida (99% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eckerd College students is 132.9% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($24,813 vs. $10,652).

Eckerd College vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Eckerd College or USF Main Campus? 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 USF Main Campus and Eckerd College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Eckerd College (1250) is 20 points higher than at USF Main Campus (1230).
• Incoming Eckerd College students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 26) as students at USF Main Campus (26).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eckerd College 1160/1330; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eckerd College 24/29; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Eckerd College - Test optional; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Eckerd College students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• Eckerd College has a higher acceptance rate (75.8%) than USF Main Campus (43.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at Eckerd College vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

Eckerd College vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Eckerd College and USF Main Campus? 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 University of South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from Eckerd College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,400 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Florida graduates have a $7,853 lower median loan debt than Eckerd College graduates ($19,147 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USF Main Campus graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Eckerd College graduates ($197 vs. $279).
• More Eckerd College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 57%)

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.