Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities

Choosing a college is a major life step—and for students with learning disabilities (LD), the right choice can mean the difference between struggling and thriving. Colleges that understand LD offer structured supports, trained staff, assistive technology, and a campus culture that values inclusion.

This guide covers national options and state-focused recommendations to help students and families find colleges that provide the academic, social, and career supports LD learners need.

What Students with Learning Disabilities Need from College (Quick list)

• Clear disability services and a responsive office of accessibility.
• Trained staff who understand dyslexia, ADHD, processing disorders, and other LDs.
• Access to assistive technology (text-to-speech, speech-to-text, audiobooks).
• Tutoring, coaching, and small-group instruction for academic skills.
• Transition or bridge programs that ease the jump from high school to college.
• Flexible course options and career support services.

Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities

Certain colleges are widely recognized for their strong LD supports. These include both specialized institutions and larger universities with robust disability services:

• Landmark College (Putney, Vermont) — A college founded specifically for students with learning differences. Landmark offers small classes, intensive academic coaching, and a strong assistive-technology program.
• Beacon College (Leesburg, Florida) — One of the few colleges specifically created for students with learning disabilities. Beacon focuses on direct skills instruction, career readiness, and hands-on learning.
• Curry College (Milton, Massachusetts) — Home to the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL), Curry provides individualized academic coaching, assistive technology, and small-group support.
• Dean College (Franklin, Massachusetts) — Offers comprehensive learning-support services, including personalized academic plans and dedicated staff for students with LD.
• Marshall University (Huntington, West Virginia) — Known for the H.E.L.P. Program (Higher Education for Learning Problems), which offers tutoring, assistive tech, and reading/writing support.
• University of Arizona (Tucson, Arizona) — The SALT Center provides nationally recognized support in academic strategies, assistive technology, and tutoring for students with LD.
• University of Denver (Denver, Colorado) — The Learning Effectiveness Program (LEP) offers individualized coaching, strategy instruction, and peer mentoring.
• Lynn University (Boca Raton, Florida) — The Institute for Achievement and Learning (IAL) provides tailored coaching, testing accommodations, and technology supports.

These programs vary in size and approach, but they all prioritize individualized support and practical skill-building.

Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities in Virginia

• Radford University (Radford, VA) — Offers a Coordinated Community program and disability services that provide academic coaching and assistive technology.
• James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA) — The Office of Disability Services supports students with testing accommodations, note-taking services, and assistive technology.
• George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) — Provides Accessibility Services with individualized accommodation plans, academic support, and transition assistance for incoming students.

Virginia colleges combine historic campuses with modern accessibility supports—look for on-campus transition programs and strong tutoring centers when evaluating schools.

Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities in New York

• Adelphi University (Garden City, NY) — Bridges to Adelphi is a notable program supporting students with ASD and learning differences, emphasizing academic and social skills.
• CUNY Hunter College (New York, NY) — Part of the City University of New York system, Hunter’s AccessAbility Office offers accommodations, assistive technology, and academic coaching.
• Pace University (New York, NY) — Disability Services provides individualized plans, testing accommodations, and resources for assistive tech and tutoring.

New York’s colleges often pair strong academic options with comprehensive urban supports and career opportunities—use local resources to augment campus services.

Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities in Florida

• Beacon College (Leesburg, FL) — Specializes in LD and ADHD and is focused entirely on students who learn differently.
• Lynn University (Boca Raton, FL) — Offers intensive coaching and the Institute for Achievement and Learning.
• University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) — Provides well-established Student Accessibility Services with assistive tech and testing accommodations.

Florida features both specialized small colleges and large state universities with scalable supports—consider whether you prefer a small, focused campus or broader campus life.

Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities in California

• University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA) — Disabled Students’ Program (DSP) provides accommodations, assistive technology access, and learning consultations.
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) — The Center for Accessible Education offers accommodations, academic coaching, and technology supports.
• University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) — USC’s Disability Services and programs like Student Accessibility Services provide robust accommodations and mentoring.

California campuses often pair disability services with strong research resources and local services—excellent options for students seeking broad academic programs.

Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities in Michigan

• University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) — Services for Students with Disabilities offers accommodations, assistive tech, and academic support programs.
• Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI) — Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities provides academic accommodations and coaching.
• Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) — Office of Disability Services offers testing accommodations, assistive technology, and campus support.

In Michigan, major public universities combine scale with well-developed support offices and research-based resources.

Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities in Texas

• Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX) — The Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center supports students with LD through tutoring, coaching, and assistive technology.
• University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX) — Services for Students with Disabilities provides comprehensive accommodation plans, assistive tech, and academic coaching.
• Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) — Disability Resources supports students with individualized plans, testing accommodations, and assistive technology.

Texas campuses often offer strong tradition and community along with expanding accessibility resources—ideal for students seeking a vibrant campus life and solid supports.

Practical Takeaways & Action Steps

1. Start Early: Contact disability services before you apply and again after admission to learn how to secure accommodations.
2. Gather Documentation: Bring up-to-date evaluations, IEP records, and physician or psychologist reports when requested.
3. Visit if Possible: Tour the disability services office, meet staff, and ask about typical response times and support models.
4. Ask Specific Questions: Inquire about assistive technology, test proctoring, note-taking support, tutoring availability, and staff training.
5. Consider Fit Over Prestige: A supportive program that meets your learning needs is often more important than a school’s ranking.
6. Explore Bridge Programs: Look for summer transition programs or first-year seminars that focus on study strategies and executive function.
7. Plan for Independence: College students must self-advocate—develop a plan for requesting accommodations and using campus supports proactively.

Conclusion

The best colleges for students with learning disabilities are those that combine strong academic programs with intentional, accessible support systems. From specialized institutions like Landmark College and Beacon College to larger universities with comprehensive disability services like University of Arizona (SALT Center), University of Michigan, and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), students have a range of excellent options.

Choosing the right college means evaluating services, visiting campuses when possible, and prioritizing programs that empower students to grow academically and independently.

With the right supports in place, students with learning disabilities can not only complete college but also lay the foundation for successful careers and fulfilled lives.