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PrivateUrbanHBCU

Edward Waters University

Jacksonville, Florida 32209

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Campus Vibe

Small & IntimateUrbanPrivateHBCUBusiness Focus

Known for business — close-knit campus

Edward Waters University is a private institution in Jacksonville with particular strength in business and biology.

A small campus of 1.1K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

28% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $34,782 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $13,580.

Established
1866
Mascot
Tiger
Type
Private historically Black university
Division
Division II

Campus Visits

44 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

85%Acceptance
SAT Avg
1,113Students
18:1Student:Faculty
28%Grad Rate
$34,782Earnings 10yr
$13,580Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Edward Waters University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate84.8%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

84.8%

Trend

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$14,878
Room & Board$8,010
Books & Supplies$0
Total Cost of Attendance$26,973
Average Net Price$13,580

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$12,861
$30–48K$12,887
$48–75K$15,958
$75–110K$14,237
$110K+$20,001

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

27.6%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$11,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

8

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

2

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

2

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (9)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

53%

Negative
  • 53% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
1,113
Gender Split
47% / 53%
Women / Men
First Generation
50%
Pell Grant Recipients
76%

Race & Ethnicity

White 5%
Black 84%
Hispanic 2%
Two+ 2%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate28.0%
Freshman Retention53.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$29,809
10 Years$34,782

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#45
2
vs 2024
Forbes
#52
1
vs 2024
Niche
#38
3
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • Scott and students The AME Church was the first independent black denomination in the United States and was founded in 1816 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • The first African Methodist Episcopal pastor in the state, William G.
  • It reopened in 1883 as "East Florida Conference High School”, then changed to “East Florida Scientific and Divinity High School.
  • In 1892, the school was renamed for Edward Waters, the third bishop of the AME Church.
  • A drawing of 1893 shows that the College President at that time was John R.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

JAX Jacksonville10 mi
MCO Orlando134 mi
TPA Tampa172 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1017 mi · ~29h 23m drive
New York, NY836 mi · ~24h 9m drive
Hartford, CT935 mi · ~27h 1m drive
Providence, RI977 mi · ~28h 13m drive
Albany, NY957 mi · ~27h 39m drive
Syracuse, NY929 mi · ~26h 50m drive
Rochester, NY913 mi · ~26h 23m drive
Buffalo, NY880 mi · ~25h 25m drive
Philadelphia, PA759 mi · ~21h 56m drive
Pittsburgh, PA704 mi · ~20h 20m drive
Harrisburg, PA737 mi · ~21h 17m drive
Newark, NJ832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Washington, DC648 mi · ~18h 43m drive
Baltimore, MD681 mi · ~19h 40m drive
Atlanta, GA283 mi · ~8h 11m drive
Charlotte, NC341 mi · ~9h 51m drive
Raleigh, NC415 mi · ~11h 59m drive
Miami, FL329 mi · ~9h 30m drive
Orlando, FL126 mi · ~3h 38m drive
Tampa, FL172 mi · ~4h 58m drive
Nashville, TN498 mi · ~14h 23m drive
New Orleans, LA502 mi · ~14h 30m drive
Richmond, VA553 mi · ~15h 59m drive
Chicago, IL863 mi · ~24h 56m drive
Detroit, MI832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Minneapolis, MN1190 mi · ~34h 23m drive
St. Louis, MO749 mi · ~21h 38m drive
Kansas City, MO948 mi · ~27h 23m drive
Indianapolis, IN698 mi · ~20h 10m drive
Columbus, OH669 mi · ~19h 20m drive
Cleveland, OH771 mi · ~22h 16m drive
Milwaukee, WI942 mi · ~27h 13m drive
Dallas, TX905 mi · ~26h 9m drive
Houston, TX819 mi · ~23h 40m drive
Austin, TX957 mi · ~27h 39m drive
San Antonio, TX1008 mi · ~29h 7m drive
Los Angeles, CA2141 mi · ~61h 51m drive
San Francisco, CA2368 mi · ~68h 25m drive
San Diego, CA2086 mi · ~60h 16m drive
Seattle, WA2450 mi · ~70h 47m drive
Portland, OR2434 mi · ~70h 19m drive
Denver, CO1463 mi · ~42h 16m drive
Phoenix, AZ1789 mi · ~51h 41m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1832 mi · ~52h 55m drive
Honolulu, HI4694 mi · ~135h 36m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

Jacksonville (JAX)10 miles
Rental car
15 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
20 min$12-20
Orlando (MCO)134 miles
Rental car
201 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
268 min$161-268

Deadline Calendar

Edward Waters University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

Edward Waters University — v2 Preview — TourStack