Future of private Carolina colleges uncertain amid nationwide closures
On Wednesday, students at Limestone University started moving out – less than 24 hours after finding out the school was closing for good.
Chris Marsicano is an associate professor and chair of the Educational Studies Department at Davidson College. He said the idea of colleges closing is something they've been watching for a decade.
'The COVID pandemic and changes in student tastes over the past couple of years have really, though, put pressure on small private schools, especially outside of urban areas to continue their operations,' Marsciano said. 'Colleges are pushed to demonstrate their value, and with colleges that can show they can get students great jobs, and they can expand their horizons, and they can give them the next opportunities, those are the places that are going to have no trouble surviving. Those that can't, it's going to be really hard.'
Erskine College, located near Greenwood, S.C., is offering a $25,000 scholarship to anyone from Limestone University looking for a new home.
Brianne Holmes is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Erskine College. She said last year was one of the best financially for the school.
'We want them to know that we're here for them and that we would like to be able to welcome them on campus if they think this would be a great school for them,' Holmes said. 'We can't replace their Limestone home, but we hope we can give them a second home that they can enjoy.'
Holmes said the age of Erskine and class sizes should feel familiar for Limestone students. The scholarship would be for all the years that they attend Erskine.
Marsicano said Limestone students should take advantage of opportunities like this. He said colleges have shown to be resilient – even in rural areas.
'This is probably not the end of small colleges across the country, especially those places that have strong alumni ties or some large endowments,' Marsicano said. 'There are a lot of opportunities out there, you just have to go find them.'
Marsicano said he is keeping his eye on St. Augustine's University in Raleigh. He said the school lost its accreditation and has been struggling.
'I think it could be any day now, but they've shown themselves to be resilient before – they've come back from the brink multiple times,' Marsicano said. 'I wouldn't count them out just yet.'
According to Marsicano, Limestone and St. Andrews had turnaround strategies. St. Andrews sold itself to Webber International University, and Limestone invested heavily in its athletics programs.
Both the men's and women's lacrosse teams could potentially continue after the college is closed because they are some of the best in the country.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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