Students Stunned As Christian Colleges Announce Final Semester
Two Christian colleges in the Carolinas—St. Andrews University in North Carolina and Limestone University in South Carolina—have announced they will shut down at the end of the current academic year due to serious financial difficulties. St. Andrews, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and operates as a branch of Florida’s Webber International University, will officially cease operations on May 5. Similarly, Limestone University, a non-denominational Christian institution located in Gaffney, South Carolina, will close after the spring semester concludes.
Leaders at both schools cited persistent financial and enrollment issues as key reasons for the closures. Webber International University President Nelson Marquez explained that despite a thorough review and various attempts to stabilize St. Andrews, the financial strain proved insurmountable. A statement from the university indicated they had exhausted all internal solutions before arriving at the painful decision to shut down.
St. Andrews, originally formed in 1961 through the merger of Flora Macdonald College and Presbyterian Junior College, had 832 students enrolled as of fall 2023. The university is currently working with over two dozen other institutions on transfer and “teach-out” agreements to ensure that students can continue their education elsewhere. Schools involved in these efforts include both in-state and out-of-state colleges, such as Appalachian State University, Davidson College, and Alfred University in New York.
Limestone University announced its closure just days after St. Andrews, stating that despite recent fundraising efforts—amounting to over $2 million from nearly 200 supporters—it was not enough to maintain operations. Board of Trustees Chair Randall Richardson and University President Nathan Copeland both expressed deep regret over the outcome, acknowledging the dedication of the school’s community in trying to keep the institution open. Limestone reported a fall 2023 enrollment of 1,782 students.
These closures reflect a broader trend of faith-based institutions struggling to stay afloat financially. In recent years, other Christian colleges such as Notre Dame College in Ohio and Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama have also been forced to shut down. Both St. Andrews and Limestone are working to support students and staff through the transition, offering academic guidance and employment resources.