Non-Profit Private
Accredited ·
Gaffney, South Carolina
98.3% Acceptance Rate
Limestone University — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
98.3%Acceptance Rate
3.42Avg GPA
1070Avg SAT
$40,944Annual Cost
$44,999Grad Salary
43.5%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
98.3%
Avg GPA
3.42
Avg SAT
1070
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
SAT Middle 50%
1030–1100
Need-Based Aid
43.5% receive Pell
Limestone University is a private, liberal arts institution in South Carolina that emphasizes a personalized, student-centered education with a focus on career preparation and character development. Admissions are holistic, evaluating students on their academic record, character, and their readiness to thrive in a supportive community. The university seeks individuals who are looking for a high-quality education that integrates professional preparation with a solid, values-oriented foundation.
Applicants should highlight their history of participation in school or community extracurriculars, as these reflect the university's mission-focused and service-oriented culture. Demonstrating a clear approach to one's future career plans and explaining how a values-centered education will facilitate those goals is a strong way to impress the admissions committee. The university looks for students who will contribute to its supportive, community-oriented campus environment and who have a track record of being responsible and engaged members of their local community.
Limestone University Acceptance Rate
Admission at Limestone University is inclusive by design: 98.3% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 98.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.97
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Limestone University Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Limestone University follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Limestone University reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (February 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Limestone University GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Limestone University is 3.42. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.12–3.42 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.62–3.82.Limestone University GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.42 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.22 – 3.41
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.02 – 3.21
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.01
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Limestone University (Gaffney, SC), founded in 1845 as South Carolina's first women's college, permanently closed after the Spring 2025 semester due to a $6 million budget shortfall that a $2.1 million emergency fundraising campaign could not close.
- South Carolina's HOPE, LIFE, and Palmetto Fellows scholarships remain usable at other in-state institutions; Palmetto Fellows recipients must file a Transfer Request Form with the CHE.
- Limestone established named teach-out/transfer agreements with several institutions, including Thiel College, Sweet Briar College, Truett McConnell University, Appalachian State University, and North Greenville University, each with different credit-transfer and tuition terms.
- Official transcripts are now processed through Verif-y, Inc.; some requests have taken up to six months to complete.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Limestone University
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Limestone University's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Limestone University Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Limestone University — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Limestone University Without SAT or ACT?
Limestone University neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Limestone University Average SAT Score: 1070
Admitted students at Limestone University average a 1070 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1070 — Accessible
A 1070 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1100 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Limestone University allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1030? A retake is worth it at Limestone University — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1070 | 1030 | 1100 |
A score under 1030 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1100+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Limestone University with a 1100 SAT?
At 1100, your SAT is squarely in Limestone University's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Limestone University
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Limestone University provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Do not apply to Limestone - it is permanently closed
Limestone University's Board of Trustees voted on April 29, 2025 to permanently close the institution at the end of the spring 2025 semester, ending 179 years of operation; both on-campus and online programs were discontinued. There is no admissions process to advise on for this institution.
If you were counting on Limestone, use its published teach-out agreements instead
Limestone arranged specific transfer agreements with named partner institutions, including Thiel College (accepting 100% of Limestone credits, including graduate credits), Sweet Briar College (automatic admission for qualified female students with a 2.8+ GPA), Truett McConnell University (15% first-year tuition discount), Appalachian State University, and North Greenville University, among others. If you were a prospective or admitted Limestone student, review these specific named agreements first, since they offer more generous, pre-negotiated transfer terms than a cold application elsewhere.
Your HOPE, LIFE, or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship is not lost - but you must file a transfer form
South Carolina's Commission on Higher Education confirmed these state scholarships remain usable at any other eligible South Carolina institution, but Palmetto Fellows recipients specifically must complete a Transfer Request Form to notify the CHE of their new school. Contact scholarships@che.sc.gov directly with your name, high school, and new institution to ensure your state aid transfers without a gap.
Request your transcript through Verif-y, not directly from Limestone
Since the closure, Limestone's official transcripts are processed through a third-party vendor, Verif-y, Inc., rather than the university itself; unofficial transcripts remain accessible through Limestone's former student portal ("The Halo") during the transition. Begin the transcript request process immediately if you need records for a transfer application, since some requests have taken up to six months to process.
Expert Insight:
Limestone owed students nearly $400,000 in tuition refunds at the time of closure, with refunds reported as slow to materialize - any prospective or former student owed a refund should treat this as an active financial claim requiring follow-up (through the SC Commission on Higher Education or Limestone's closure-transition contacts) rather than assuming it will be resolved automatically.
Limestone University Profile
Full Name
Limestone University
City
Gaffney
State
South Carolina
ZIP Code
29340-3799
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Is a Limestone University Degree Worth It?
At $40,944/year against a $44,999 median graduate salary, Limestone University is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $53,500, and graduates see a 3.79% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Limestone University Cost?
Listed tuition runs $40,944/year at Limestone University; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Limestone University, 43.5% receive a Pell Grant and 69.9% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Limestone University on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Limestone University Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Limestone University graduates report a median income of $44,999, about 11% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Limestone University. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
| Baptist University of Florida | Graceville, FL | 1045 | 20 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Limestone University. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Florida College | Temple Terrace, FL | 1068 | 19 |
| Piedmont University | Demorest, GA | 1074 | 21 |
| Shorter University | Rome, GA | 1075 | 20 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Limestone University. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Limestone University
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Limestone University Admissions
Limestone University graduates earn a lower median salary of $44,999/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Limestone University is moderate, around $40,944/year; many students supplement with aid.
43.5% of Limestone University students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Limestone University's acceptance rate is 98.3%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted Limestone University students is 3.42, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.12 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Limestone University. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.02 or below makes admission tougher at Limestone University, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Limestone University weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1070, and within the 1030–1100 range, keeps you competitive.
Limestone University follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before February 1, 2026 — that's Limestone University's scholarship priority date.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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