Economics at Eckerd College

Based on peer economics programs in Florida, Eckerd's outcomes suggest a debt load that exceeds what similar programs typically carry. The estimated $26,000 in borrowing sits $4,500 above Florida's median for economics bachelor's degrees and $3,200 above the national benchmark. Meanwhile, the estimated first-year earnings of $47,304 align with what most Florida economics programs produce, falling right at the state median but trailing the national figure by about $4,400.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 means graduates are looking at roughly half a year's salary in student loans—manageable by standard metrics, but the premium you're paying over comparable Florida programs raises questions about value. University of Tampa economics graduates, for instance, earn an estimated $7,000 more annually while several public universities match Eckerd's earnings profile with considerably less debt. The 16% Pell grant enrollment suggests Eckerd primarily serves students from higher-income families, which may make that debt differential less concerning for some, but it's still money that compounds over a decade of repayment.

If your child is choosing Eckerd for fit reasons—campus culture, location, smaller classes—the estimated numbers aren't alarming enough to override those factors. But if economics outcomes are the primary driver, Florida's public universities appear to deliver similar early-career results at lower cost based on statewide patterns.