Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Limestone University

Limestone's Liberal Arts program outperforms most South Carolina peers despite sitting well below the national median. With graduates earning $37,677 by year four, this places in the 60th percentile among South Carolina's 34 programs—beating schools like Coastal Carolina and matching North Greenville, though trailing USC-Upstate by about $1,000 monthly. The 21% earnings growth from years one to four suggests graduates gain traction in the job market, though the starting salary of $31,235 requires careful budgeting.

The $33,430 debt load presents the real challenge here. While typical for bachelor's degrees, it creates a 1.07 debt-to-earnings ratio that means graduates carry more than a full year's starting salary in loans. For families already stretching financially—43% of students receive Pell grants—this requires honest conversation about monthly payments and career timelines.

The calculation hinges on in-state context. If you're comparing South Carolina options and value Limestone's 98% admission rate as an access point to a bachelor's degree, the program delivers middle-of-the-pack outcomes at middle-of-the-pack debt. But if your student qualifies for USC-Upstate or Columbia, those programs offer meaningfully higher earnings for similar debt. This works as an in-state option when admission elsewhere is uncertain, but not as a first-choice investment.