“A distinctive waterfront liberal arts college on Tampa Bay, where experiential learning, marine science, and global outlook meet.”
Eckerd College is a private liberal arts college founded in 1958 and located on the waterfront shores of Boca Ciega Bay in Saint Petersburg, Florida. The campus is home to one of the world's largest intact collections of midcentury modern educational buildings, designed by the Chicago firm Perkins and Will, and its physical setting on the Gulf Coast gives the college a distinctive ecological identity. Marine science, environmental studies, and sustainability are embedded deeply into the academic culture, reflecting the college's position at the edge of one of the most biodiverse coastal ecosystems in North America. With just under 1,900 students, Eckerd maintains an intimate 11-to-1 student-faculty ratio and a culture of close mentorship between students and scholars. Eckerd originated the 4-1-4 academic calendar, with a distinctive January Winter Term in which each student concentrates entirely on a single intensive course, often abroad or off-campus. This structure fosters intellectual curiosity, global engagement, and hands-on learning beyond the traditional classroom. Programs in marine biology, environmental science, psychology, international relations, creative writing, and business are among the most popular, and the college is nationally recognized for its commitment to undergraduate research, community engagement, and experiential education. Eckerd also operates one of the most active college-based marine science research programs in the southeastern United States through its Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory. Campus life at Eckerd is shaped by the warm Florida climate, the waterfront setting, and a strong spirit of intellectual community. Students have access to kayaks, sailboats, and marine vessels for recreation and research, and the campus culture blends outdoor adventure with academic depth. International students receive merit-based scholarship consideration and access to the International Student Services office, which provides F-1 visa support, CPT and OPT guidance, and cultural integration programming. Saint Petersburg is a vibrant mid-sized city with a thriving arts scene, a growing technology sector, and easy access to Tampa Bay professional networks.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
National Liberal Arts Colleges
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Decision I (Binding)
Binding commitment; notification within 4 weeks
Early Decision II (Binding)
Binding commitment; for students deciding later in the cycle
Rolling Admission
Rolling review begins December 1; decisions within approximately 4 weeks of completed application; no hard deadline
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$51,884
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Marine biology, oceanography, environmental studies, biology, chemistry, physics, and marine science research through the Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory
Psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, international relations, economics, and interdisciplinary social science programs
English, creative writing, philosophy, religious studies, visual arts, music, theatre, and literature programs
Business administration, management, accounting, and organizational studies with connections to Saint Petersburg business community
Foreign languages, linguistics, communication, and international studies programs supporting global engagement
4 years
The flagship program at Eckerd, conducted alongside a world-class marine science laboratory on Tampa Bay. Students have access to research vessels, waterfront labs, and one of the most biodiverse coastal ecosystems in North America.
4 years
An interdisciplinary program integrating natural sciences, social sciences, and policy. Eckerd students benefit from direct access to Gulf Coast ecosystems and strong relationships with environmental nonprofits and government agencies.
4 years
Eckerd pioneered the 4-1-4 academic calendar with a dedicated January term. Students spend the entire month of January on one intensive course, often abroad, field-based, or experiential, making it a key differentiator in undergraduate education.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $51,884
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
