Limestone College (LC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Limestone College was founded in 1845 and was one of the first women’s colleges in South Carolina. It is now a Christian non-denominational co-educational four-year institution. This private college’s main campus is located on 115 acres in Gaffney, South Carolina. Gaffney is located approximately 45 minutes from Charlotte and 40 minutes from Greenville. There are also several extended campuses located throughout South Carolina in Yemassee, Kingstree, Greer, Aiken, Charleston, Florence, and Columbia. Limestone College was ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the south in the U.S. News 2011 edition of Best Colleges.

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Information Summary

Ranks 29th in South Carolina and 1586th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	71.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$41,001
Admission Success rate	N/A
ACT / SAT 75%ile scores	23 / 1130
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	20 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	52% / 25%
Enrollment Total (all students)	2,442

Academics

The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits Limestone allowing them to award baccalaureate and associate degrees. There are also several individual programs with their own accreditations and these include: the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the Council on Social Work Education, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

There are 15 different majors and four divisions of academic programs offered at the main campus which include: the Division of Arts and Letters, the Division of Natural Sciences, the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, and the Division of Professional Studies. Out of the programs offered the most popular majors of students graduating in 2009 include: Education; Business, management, and marketing; Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies; and History.

The extended campuses offer all of the same academic divisions as the main campus as well as an additional one in Interdisciplinary Studies. There are five Associate’s Degree majors and 19 Bachelor’s Degree majors offered at the extended campuses. Students are also able to take classes online and there are various Associate Degrees and Bachelor Degrees that can be awarded by completing courses strictly online.

Students are able to take traditional day classes at the main campus in Gaffney and Internet and evening classes are available for students at the various extended campuses. Class sizes are kept small with more than half of the classes containing fewer than 20 students. The largest class size at this institution contains less than 50 students. Small class sizes allow professors to know their students on a first name basis. The smaller classes also allow students to receive individual attention as well as more opportunities to participate in class.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

Students interested in applying to Limestone must submit an application, an application fee, official high school transcripts or GED transcripts, official college transcripts from all previously attended institutions (if applicable) and SAT or ACT scores to the Day Admissions Office. Applications can be completed online or on paper. Transfer students must submit their high school or GED transcripts if they have completed less than 12 credit hours.

International Students:

International students must have their foreign transcripts sent through World Education Services or have their transcript evaluated. Also if the student’s native language is not English he/she will be required to take the TOEFL, have an acceptable score on the SAT or ACT, and/or show proof of completing an ESL program.

Financial Aid

Most full-time students at Limestone receive some type of need based financial assistance. Students are able to receive all types of federal and state financial aid as well as loans from private lenders. Information about preferred lenders can be accessed through the Limestone official website.

Students interested in receiving financial aid must fill out the FAFSA. The state financial aid offered in South Carolina for its residents includes: South Carolina Tuition Grants, South Carolina Life Scholarships, and South Carolina Hope Scholarships.

There are also four academic scholarships awarded to students enrolled in the Day Program based on academic achievement including: the Presidential Scholarship, the Honors Program Scholarships, the Academic Dean’s Scholarships, and the Founders Scholarships. Students do not apply for these scholarships instead they are awarded to students based on criteria established by the Scholarship Committee.

The Christian Education and Leadership Scholarship was established by Robert A. Dobson III and his wife. In order to receive this scholarship students must meet several eligibility requirements and some of these include: full-time enrollment in the day program, enrollment in the Spiritual Formation/Mission Work Seminars and after completion enrollment in a Religion course every year, and participation in the Spring Mission Trip annually. In past years, the annual Spring Mission Trip has been to Brazil. Students interested in being a part of this program must fill out an application and submit three letters of recommendation.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 111th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in South Carolina.

Students

Since Limestone is a private college, in-state and out-of-state students have the same rate for tuition and fees. Students enrolled at Limestone are mostly from South Carolina and other Eastern Seaboard states. Limestone allows students to get involved through leadership programs, religious, academic, and musical organizations.

Housing:

A large percentage of students live on-campus and most students have a car on campus. Students under 21 years of age are required to live on campus unless they live with their families or have completed more than 90 credit hours. All of the rooms are doubles, meaning two students share the room. The residence halls house either male or female students, there are no co-ed residence halls. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited on campus even for students of legal age.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

The athletic program is a member of the NCAA Division II. Their sports teams are known as the Saints and their school colors are blue and gold. Limestone started the first collegiate lacrosse team in the South in 1990. The athletic teams available for men to compete in include: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling.

Women are also able to compete on various athletic teams including: basketball, cheerleading, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. The men’s and women’s swim teams are members of the Bluegrass Mountain Conference and the field hockey and wrestling teams are independent. All of the remaining sports teams are members of the Conference Carolinas. There are also intramural sports offered for students, which include bowling, billiards, sand volleyball, ping pong, and three-on-three basketball.

Bibliography

Limestone Athletics. 2011. Limestone Athletics. 5 June 2011 <http://golimestonesaints.com/>.

“Limestone College.” US News & World Report. 2011. U.S. News & World Report LP. 5 June 2011 <http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/limestone-college-3436>.

Limestone College. 2008. LC. 5 June 2011 <http://www.limestone.edu/home>.

Limestone College