At $20,415/yr net price, Limestone University graduates earn $44,999/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,999/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,415 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $81,660 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,999/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,999/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,639 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,648/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,035/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,930/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,986/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,483/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $55,286 | $35,014 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Bachelor | $52,607 | $25,000 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $26,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor | $41,565 | $32,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,896 | $29,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $36,848 | |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $34,847 | $27,335 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $26,319 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $27,620 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $33,993 | $31,250 |
The Risk Factor
27.6% of students at Limestone University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Limestone University's financial picture is weak, and the biggest red flag is the graduation rate. Fewer than three in ten students finish, and only about 64% come back for a second year. If you borrow the median $27,639 and then leave without a degree, you carry the debt with none of the earning power that was supposed to pay it off. That risk sits above everything else here.
For the majors that do pay, the returns are modest. Computer/Information Technology Administration and Marketing top the list near $52,000, and both come with debt loads that stay under what you'd earn in a single year , the sanest math on this page. Business Administration and Human Resources land in the low $40,000s while carrying the heaviest debt on the list, so your payoff shrinks even though you finished. Teacher Education sits at the bottom, and South Carolina's teacher pay isn't going to rescue that number.
The net price tiers work backwards from what you'd hope. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay less than $18,000 a year, but if you're in the $48,000-$75,000 band you actually pay more than families earning over that. Middle-income families get squeezed hardest here relative to income.
Limestone makes financial sense for you if you're set on a tech or marketing degree, you're confident you'll graduate, and your family income keeps your net price near the bottom tier. It's a poor bet if you're leaning toward teaching or general business, if the retention numbers make you doubt you'll finish, or if you're a middle-income family staring at a $21,000-plus annual price for a $44,999 median outcome. Look elsewhere before you borrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Limestone University worth the cost compared to other colleges?
Limestone University's graduates earn $44,999 after 10 years, which is below the national average for college graduates. With a net price of $20,415 annually and median debt of $27,639, the return on investment is weak compared to most four-year institutions.
What are the best paying majors at Limestone University?
Business Administration and Computer/Information Technology Administration lead Limestone's earnings, with graduates making around $52,000-$55,000 annually. These programs offer the strongest financial returns, while other majors like Human Resources Management show lower earning potential at $41,565.
How much debt do Limestone University graduates typically have?
Limestone University graduates carry a median debt of $27,639. Given that typical earnings are around $45,000 after 10 years, this debt level represents a significant financial burden that may take years to pay off.
Does Limestone University have good graduation rates for the money?
Limestone University's graduation rate is only 27.60%, meaning nearly three-quarters of students don't complete their degree. This low completion rate significantly undermines the value proposition, especially given the $20,415 annual cost.