Limestone University

Gaffney, South Carolina, United States · Est. 1845 · Private University

Historic South Carolina liberal arts college that closed in 2025 after 180 years of service.

  • Founded 1845 as first women's college in South Carolina
  • Private, non-denominational Christian university
  • Located in Gaffney, South Carolina
  • Enrollment: 1,786 students (at time of closure)
  • Offered 57 undergraduate majors across four divisions
  • Closed permanently May 30, 2025 due to financial challenges

Academics

Limestone offered 57 undergraduate majors across four divisions: Arts and Letters, Natural Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Professional Studies. Over 80% of faculty held terminal degrees in their fields, with a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university provided comprehensive support through its Accessibility Office and LEAP (Learning Enrichment & Achievement Program) for students with learning and attention challenges. Graduate programs included an online MBA with healthcare administration concentration and a Master of Social Work degree, along with an RN-to-BSN Nursing Program.

Campus & Student Life

The 58,000 sq ft Hines-Riggins Center, completed in 2021, served as the academic and social hub, housing the library, campus store, student center, art gallery, and dining facilities. The campus featured an indoor Olympic-size pool for intramural and recreational use, a Physical Education facility with classrooms, fitness center, and wrestling practice facility. Students participated in clubs and organizations spanning academics, religious life, leadership, music, theatre, and special interests, with a yearbook and literary magazine. A ROTC program operated in conjunction with Wofford College.

Athletics

Limestone competed in the South Atlantic Conference at the NCAA Division II level. The university offered 20 sports for men (football, soccer, basketball, baseball, wrestling, lacrosse, golf, cross country, tennis, track and field) and 14 for women (golf, volleyball, basketball, softball, tennis, soccer, cross country, lacrosse, cheerleading, track and field, acrobatics/tumbling, field hockey). The Athletic Training program was fully accredited.

Closure

In April 2025, the Board of Trustees voted to permanently close the university at the end of the spring semester due to long-standing financial pressures, declining enrollment, and rising operational costs. Despite a final fundraising effort that raised $2.143 million, the institution could not secure sufficient funding to continue operations. The final graduation ceremony was held May 3, 2025. The university owed students approximately $400,000 in tuition refunds.

Founded
1845
Type
Private University
Courses
6
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationNon-denominational Christian
Websitehttps://www.limestone.edu/
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
6
Avg career outcomes
Not yet verified
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources