Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Limestone University #1296 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,523 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Limestone University in the 51.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Limestone University #1087 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Limestone University's composite ranking reflects its ability to balance affordability with meaningful graduate outcomes. Graduates earn about $1,523 less than similar students at comparable institutions, supported by a program mix that emphasizes practical, career-aligned fields.
Azimuth ranks Limestone University #1296 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Gaffney, South Carolina, Limestone University enrolls roughly 1,482 undergraduates. Retention stands at 64.1% and the six-year graduation rate is 35.3%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Limestone University draws strength from its focus on return on investment. Azimuth ranks Limestone University #1087 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,523 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Limestone University in the 51.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's concentration in Business, a field that consistently delivers strong early-career financial outcomes and aligns with regional employer demand. Access and affordability represent the lower-ranked pillars in the composite. Limestone University sits in the 38.5 percentile for access and the 42.0 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution enrolls 43.4% Pell-eligible students and 43.0% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a student population with meaningful financial need. For families evaluating affordability and long-term debt service, Financial GPS tool provides personalized projections based on program choice and earnings scenarios.
Limestone University's published cost of attendance is $40,671. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that figure: low-income families pay approximately $16,772, middle-income families pay around $18,607, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,320. Azimuth ranks Limestone University #827 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Limestone University uses need-based financial aid to help close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA and institutional aid forms; the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Merit scholarships may also be available depending on academic and other credentials — prospective students should review the financial aid page for current policies and application deadlines. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,639, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,193; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. See the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Limestone University's median four-year earnings of $51,758, median federal debt of $27,639 projects to a monthly payment of about $312 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Limestone University is a strong fit for students seeking a private nonprofit college experience anchored in Business programs in SC, with a balance of affordability and focused outcomes. The institution's small size and regional focus provide a more intimate learning environment compared to larger universities. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $51,758, placing Limestone University in the 11.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Earn about $1,523 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 51.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The student body includes 43.4% Pell recipients and 43.0% first-generation students, with a 22.5% Pell graduation rate showing strong support for this population. The net price for higher-income families is $23,320, with median debt at graduation of $27,639. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 97.3% admit rate creates moderate selectivity, and the program mix leans heavily toward Business (32% of degrees). Students aligned with these fields will find the strongest outcomes at this institution.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Limestone University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Limestone University's published cost of attendance is $40,671. Net price by income band shows how financial aid reshapes that figure: low-income families pay approximately $16,772, middle-income families pay around $18,607, and higher-income families pay approximately $23,320.
Azimuth ranks Limestone University #827 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Limestone University uses need-based financial aid to help close the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Families apply for aid using the FAFSA and institutional aid forms; the university participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Merit scholarships may also be available depending on academic and other credentials — prospective students should review the financial aid page for current policies and application deadlines. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,639, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,193; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures.
See the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at Limestone University's median four-year earnings of $51,758, median federal debt of $27,639 projects to a monthly payment of about $312 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Limestone University earn median 4-year earnings of $51,758, placing Limestone University in the 11.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,523 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Limestone University in the 51.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Limestone University #1087 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern centers on Business and related professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 94 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $57,753, performing at 0.8x the national benchmark for the field. The Social Work program graduates 65 students earning $42,759 four years after enrollment, while Health Administration and Psychology, General round out the top programs with four-year earnings of $50,657 and $46,661 respectively.
These outcomes reflect Limestone University's focus on career-oriented fields that connect directly to regional labor-market demand in South Carolina.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northwestern College Similar quality tier (#36010 ranked) | IA | 80% | $49,802 | #36010 | Compare |
William Jessup University Similar quality tier (#36007 ranked) | CA | 93% | $56,257 | #36007 | Compare |
Wartburg College Similar quality tier (#36012 ranked) | IA | 76% | $56,201 | #36012 | Compare |
Guilford College Similar quality tier in Southeast (#36006 ranked) | NC | 80% | $47,590 | #36006 | Compare |
Concordia College At Moorhead Similar quality tier (#36014 ranked) | MN | 63% | $59,317 | #36014 | Compare |
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
24 graduates
Marketing
23 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
94 graduates
Human Resources Management and Services
19 graduates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
23 graduates
Limestone University's program mix is anchored in Business and professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 94 graduates, followed by Social Work, Health Administration, Psychology, General, and Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 407 students annually, several deliver solid four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects Limestone University's positioning as a professional-focused private institution.
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management leads with median earnings of $73,092 four years after enrollment, followed by Digital Marketing at $71,116, Business Administration at $57,753, and Human Resources Management and Services at $53,352. Among the most popular fields, Business Administration graduates earn $57,753, while Social Work graduates earn $42,759, demonstrating that the institution's largest programs deliver competitive early-career outcomes.
The concentration in Business and related professional disciplines positions Limestone University graduates for direct entry into regional workforce pathways. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with labor-market demand in the Southeast and beyond.
