Eckerd College: A Liberal Arts Education on the Shores of Tampa Bay
Eckerd College, nestled on the shores of Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Florida, stands as a private liberal arts institution with a distinctive approach to higher education. Founded in 1958 by the Presbyterian Church and originally known as Florida Presbyterian College, Eckerd adopted its current name in 1971 following a substantial donation from businessman Jack Eckerd. Since its founding in 1958, part of the campus is waterfront and beach on Boca Ciega Bay. The college's waterfront location on Florida’s Gulf Coast is not just for show; it serves as an outdoor laboratory for academic disciplines and recreational activities alike.
A Commitment to Liberal Arts and Sciences
As a liberal arts college, Eckerd aims to instill broad knowledge and critical thinking in its students, rather than provide a purely vocational education. Eckerd College is accredited to award Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in more than forty majors, or students can design their own concentrations. Every student takes four years of classes across a wide variety of fields-art, literature, the natural and social sciences-regardless of their major. Often called General Education, these courses are designed to provide critical thought, the ability to make complex decisions and a commitment to lifelong learning. Eckerd students graduate with more than a bachelor's degree-they graduate with experience and connections.
Eckerd's curriculum is designed to produce graduates with a wide range of abilities, making them attractive to employers. The college emphasizes the development of problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to work effectively in teams.
Academic Calendar and Special Programs
Eckerd College originated the 4-1-4 academic calendar, with the "1" representing the Winter Term during the month of January, in which each student concentrates on a single class, often studying abroad. The academic year includes a three-week winter term, which is used by many students as a study abroad period. Students have studied the ocean while sailing on a brigantine, learned British history in a 200-year-old London house and been some of the first American students to exchange with Cuban universities.
Before graduation, students in nearly all majors are required to either pass a senior-year comprehensive examination or to complete a senior thesis project. As there are no graduate programs, all undergraduate students have access to research opportunities including first-year research associateships, the Ford Apprentice Scholars Program (launched by a grant from the Ford Foundation), honor societies, an honors program and an annual research symposium. Notable projects include the Eckerd College Dolphin Project, the longest running undergraduate-centered dolphin research program in the world, and D.A.R.W.I.N., a computer science project (partnered closely with marine science) to automate dolphin dorsal fin recognition. A United States Geological Survey center in St. Petersburg provides further research opportunities.
Read also: Academics at Eckerd
Campus Environment and Student Life
Eckerd College has a suburban 188-acre campus on Frenchman's Creek and Boca Ciega Bay, about 3 miles from Gulf of Mexico beaches. The campus is near residential and commercial neighborhoods of St. Petersburg.
The residence halls are beautiful, so there is no need to live off campus. Nearly 90% of our students live on our 188-acre campus, many in themed residence halls, which includes pet-friendly accommodations.
Eckerd College celebrates the beautiful campus it calls home and teaches the importance of environmental stewardship as a core value. An essential part of this commitment is acknowledging the Indigenous communities-past, present, and future-who are the traditional custodians of these lands and waterways.
Eckerd College acknowledges that its campus lies within the traditional homelands of the Seminole and Miccosukee people and their ancestral groups whose history here stretches back more than 12,000 years. We recognize the profound resilience of Seminole, Miccosukee, Choctaw, Cherokee, and other Native peoples who fought bravely to defend their homelands against powerful colonial forces. As a campus community, we commit to learning and teaching Native American history and cultural awareness, recognizing and honoring the presence of Indigenous people, and caring for the land that has become our home to the best of our ability.
Pet-Friendly Campus
Pets are welcome on campus and in student housing, and many students bring their dog, cat or snake to live with them. Since 1973, Eckerd College has set aside pet-friendly housing for students wishing to bring small animals to campus. “Graduating” pets whose owners are leaving take part in a degree ceremony each year. Every spring, a separate graduation ceremony is held for graduating seniors' pets, complete with certificates presented by the president.
Read also: Eckerd Admission Requirements
Waterfront Program
Eckerd's Waterfront Program is a center of watersport activities-such as sailing, kiteboarding, paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing.
Athletics
Eckerd College is a founding member of the Sunshine State Conference (NCAA Division II) fielding 14 athletic teams in coed and women's sailing, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's soccer, men's baseball, women's indoor volleyball and beach volleyball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, and women's softball. The college's basketball and indoor volleyball teams play in the McArthur Physical Education Center's gymnasium. A swimming pool, adjacent to the gym, is open to all students. In addition to Division II teams, Eckerd students participate in club sports such as men's and women's rugby, lacrosse, and ultimate.
Rankings and Recognition
In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Eckerd College is ranked No. #135 in National Liberal Arts Colleges. Eckerd College is deemed one of 44 Colleges That Change Lives.
Eckerd College ranked No. 2 in the nation, among baccalaureate institutions, for the number of students who participate in short-term study abroad.
One of the top 15% of colleges with best professors in America.
Read also: Discover Eckerd College
1 in the country for the number of NOAA Hollings Scholars.
10 in the country for small colleges that produce Peace Corps volunteers.
Facilities and Resources
In 1958, the founders of Eckerd College hired the Chicago architectural firm of Perkins and Will to design the college's campus and first buildings. The result is one of the world's largest intact collections of midcentury modern educational buildings designed by some of the 20th century's most important school architects. A common feature is the use of glass and external views to emphasize a connection with the environment. Recent campus additions include the Armacost Library, Iota residential housing complex, sports facilities; renovations to the student center, residence halls, and Miller Auditorium were also completed.
Armacost Library is a $15 million facility that opened in January 2005. The 58,000 sq ft two-story library is located near the college's student center and residence complexes. It houses book and periodical collections and features seating for about 400, including 17 group-study rooms and 58 computer stations.
The James Center For Molecular and Life Sciences, a 51,000-square-foot facility, opened in February 2013.
On the western side of campus, the Doyle Sailing Center was completed in 2016 to become the new home for the Eckerd Sailing teams.
The institution now known as Eckerd College was founded as Florida Presbyterian College in 1958 as part of national growth in post-secondary education driven by GIs entering college after returning from World War II and later by the baby boom. and the Presbyterian Church worked together to establish the college, receiving a charter from the Florida legislature in 1958 and opening in 1960. The college opened in temporary quarters at Bayboro Harbor with a liberal arts focus and 154 freshmen; it had 310 freshmen and sophomores in January 1962, when it was about to expand with the addition of a junior class, and began the 1966-1967 academic year with 810 students. In 1971, drugstore magnate Jack Eckerd donated $12.5 million to the college as part of his broader interest in Florida politics. The following year the institution's name was changed to Eckerd College.
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