Columbus State vs. Limestone University

Should I go to Columbus State University or Limestone University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Columbus State or Limestone University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Columbus State University vs. Limestone University comparison
Columbus State University Limestone University College 3 College 4
Columbus State University
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Overview

Columbus State Limestone University
Location Columbus, GA Gaffney, SC
Setting Midsize City Distant Town
Enrollment 7,479 1,786
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #995 #864
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website columbusstate.edu limestone.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Columbus State Limestone University
Tuition (In State) $4,371 $25,200
Tuition (Out of State) $15,425 $25,200
Room & Board $12,080 $10,645
Avg Net Price $12,902 $23,478
Avg Grant Aid $9,147 $19,016
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 98%

Admission

Columbus State Limestone University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,870 2,260
Admitted 3,398 2,022
Acceptance Rate 87.8% 89.5%
Enrolled % 30.4% 16.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.07 3.42
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 16/23 19/25
SAT Range 900/1130 980/1160
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 30, 2025

Academics

Columbus State Limestone University
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (24%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • English and Literature (4%)
  • Business (48%)
  • Human Services (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)

Outcomes

Columbus State Limestone University
Graduation Rate 31% 39%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $37,400 $40,500
Making Student Loan Payments 37% 36%
Median Student Loan Debt $26,000 $27,250
Median Loan Payment $268 $281

Diversity

Columbus State Limestone University
% Men 40% 48%
% Women 60% 52%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 51% 42%
% Black 37% 48%
% Hispanic 6% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 0%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

Columbus State Limestone University
% In-State 92% 61%
% Out-of-State 5% 31%

Campus

Columbus State Limestone University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Columbus State University is larger than than Limestone University based on total student enrollment (7,479 students vs. 1,786 students)

Columbus State vs. Limestone University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbus State or Limestone University?

  • Limestone University is 476.5% more expensive to attend than Columbus State for in-state tuition ($25,200.00 vs. $4,371.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 63.4% higher at Limestone University than Columbus State University ($25,200.00 vs. $15,425.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Columbus State University than Limestone University ($12,902 vs. $23,478)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Limestone University are 13.5% lower than costs at Columbus State University ($10,645 vs. $12,080)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Columbus State University as Limestone University (98% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Limestone University students is 107.9% larger than aid received Columbus State University ($19,016 vs. $9,147)

Columbus State vs. Limestone University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbus State or Limestone University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Limestone University or Columbus State .

  • The average SAT score at Columbus State University (961) is 59 points higher than at Limestone University (902)
  • Incoming Columbus State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (20) than students at Limestone University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Limestone University students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Columbus State (3.07)
  • Limestone University has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Columbus State (87.8%)

Columbus State vs. Limestone University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Columbus State or Limestone University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Limestone University and Columbus State.

  • The graduation rate at Limestone University is higher than Columbus State University (39% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Limestone University earn on average $3,100 more per year than Columbus State graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $37,400)
  • Columbus State University students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Limestone University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,250)
  • Columbus State graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Limestone University graduates. ($268 vs. $281)
  • More Columbus State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Limestone University students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/