Eckerd College
- 7/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Saint Petersburg, FL
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4.0 1 review
Overview
Total enrollment
1,893- Location Saint Petersburg, Florida
- Website eckerd.edu
- Type Private 4 Year
- Setting Midsize City
- Religious Affiliation Presbyterian Church (USA)
Best Colleges Rank
#364- Size Small
- Status Non-profit
- 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
Eckerd College is rated within the top 39% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.
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Overall Rating7 out of 10
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Academics7 out of 10
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Resources9 out of 10
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Outcomes5 out of 10
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Value2 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for Eckerd College within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1160/1330
- ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/29
- GPA 3.8
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due -
- Enrollment Rate 12.3%
- Application Fee $50
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
$51,884Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at Eckerd College are Business, Biology, and Social Sciences. 26% of students major in Business, 14% in Biology, and 11% in Social Sciences.
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Business 26%
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Biology 14%
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Social Sciences 11%
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Natural Resources Conservation 10%
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Psychology 10%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering Eckerd College are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=133492.
GPA calculator: Eckerd College GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026