Limestone University vs. USC Aiken

Should I go to Limestone University or University of South Carolina Aiken? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Limestone University or USC Aiken 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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Limestone University vs. University of South Carolina Aiken comparison
Limestone University University of South Carolina Aiken College 3 College 4
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Overview

 Limestone University USC Aiken
Location Gaffney, SC Aiken, SC
Setting Distant Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 1,786 3,840
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #864 #888
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website limestone.edu usca.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Limestone University USC Aiken
Tuition (In State) $25,200 $10,398
Tuition (Out of State) $25,200 $20,856
Room & Board $10,645 $8,376
Avg Net Price $23,478 $11,872
Avg Grant Aid $19,016 $9,891
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

 Limestone University USC Aiken
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,260 2,453
Admitted 2,022 1,855
Acceptance Rate 89.5% 75.6%
Enrolled % 16.5% 29.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.19
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 980/1160 950/1180
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

 Limestone University USC Aiken
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 15:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (48%)
  • Human Services (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (5%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)

Outcomes

 Limestone University USC Aiken
Graduation Rate 39% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,500 $39,600
Making Student Loan Payments 36% 54%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,250 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $281 $268

Diversity

 Limestone University USC Aiken
% Men 48% 36%
% Women 52% 64%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 42% 58%
% Black 48% 27%
% Hispanic 3% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

 Limestone University USC Aiken
% In-State 61% 87%
% Out-of-State 31% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of South Carolina Aiken is larger than than Limestone University based on total student enrollment (3,840 students vs. 1,786 students)

Limestone University vs. USC Aiken Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Limestone University or USC Aiken?

  • Limestone University is 142.4% more expensive to attend than USC Aiken for in-state tuition ($25,200.00 vs. $10,398.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 20.8% higher at Limestone University than University of South Carolina Aiken ($25,200.00 vs. $20,856.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Aiken than Limestone University ($11,872 vs. $23,478)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Aiken are 27.1% lower than costs at Limestone University ($8,376 vs. $10,645)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of South Carolina Aiken than Limestone University (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Limestone University students is 92.3% larger than aid received University of South Carolina Aiken ($19,016 vs. $9,891)

Limestone University vs. USC Aiken Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of South Carolina Aiken (976) is 74 points higher than at Limestone University (902)
  • Incoming USC Aiken students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Limestone University (19)
  • Accepted freshman Limestone University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at USC Aiken (3.19)
  • Limestone University has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than USC Aiken (75.6%)

Limestone University vs. USC Aiken Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Limestone University or USC Aiken? 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 USC Aiken and Limestone University.

  • The graduation rate at USC Aiken is higher than Limestone University (41% vs. 39%)
  • Graduates from Limestone University earn on average $900 more per year than USC Aiken graduates after ten years. ($40,500 vs. $39,600)
  • University of South Carolina Aiken students graduate with a $1,250 lower median federal student loan debt than Limestone University graduates. ($26,000 vs. $27,250)
  • USC Aiken graduates are paying $13 less per month on federal student loans than Limestone University graduates. ($268 vs. $281)
  • More USC Aiken graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Limestone University students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 36%)

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