2019 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities

Located in Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and the largest university in the state. The Center for Educational Access (CEA) at the university serves as the main campus resource for helping both on-campus and online students with disabilities to obtain the accommodations they need for equal access to classroom activity. Assistance is provided to students with learning disabilities, ADHD, traumatic brain injury and psychiatric conditions, as well as those with physical limitations. The University of Arkansas uses the Blackboard learning management system to deliver online content to distance learners. This platform allows students with various impairments to access the same course material as all other students. CEA works one-on-one with students to determine which accommodations are needed.

Westfield State University, a public university located in Westfield, Massachusetts, was founded in 1838 as the first public coeducational college in the nation. The Learning Disabilities Program at WSU is an academic support program for first-time, first-year students who have been diagnosed with ADHD and/or a learning disorder, including reading, math, written expression and central auditory processing disorders. Students are assigned a professional advisor and receive assistance such as help with academic strategies, individual peer tutoring, monitoring of progress, and early course registration. Both on-campus and online students can avail themselves of these services. A number of affordable graduate and undergraduate programs are offered online at WSU, and they are available either completely online or in a hybrid format.

Champlain College, a private institution located in Burlington, Vermont, is one of the top colleges for students with learning disabilities. Champlain’s Office of Accessibility consults individually with students with learning disabilities to determine which accommodations are appropriate and available. Such accommodations — which may include low-distraction testing environments and extended time for tests, or course materials in alternate formats — are available to distance learners as well as those in a traditional classroom setting. Distance learners can earn seven master’s degrees, several bachelor’s degrees and a variety of certifications 100% online. The Canvas learning management system delivers coursework to online students. Screen-reader compatibility, keyboard shortcuts, enlarged font size and extra time for tests are just a few of the features incorporated into the Canvas system.

Established in 1861, the University of Washington-Seattle is a public research university that ensures access and inclusion for all students, whether they study on campus or online. Disability Resources for Students (DRS) works with over 3,000 students with physical, learning and sensory disabilities and psychological impairments. DRS also works with staff and faculty to establish accommodations such as accessible instructional materials, audio and video resources, alternative testing accommodations, recordings of lectures, course substitution, captioning, priority registration and reduced course load. The University of Washington-Seattle offers 17 degree programs online as well as certificate programs and individual courses. The university uses the Canvas learning management system featuring built-in tools to ensure equal access to all course material.

Part of the University of North Carolina system, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public, coeducational research university located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Through its Comprehensive Transition Program, the institution provides support for both on-campus and online students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Additionally, the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services provides academic and organizational assistance, advocacy assistance and tutoring services for those with unique learning styles. Students can enroll in affordable online degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Available subjects include nursing, business, music, philosophy, public health and more.

A public, coeducational, residential institution located in Canton, New York, SUNY College of Technology at Canton offers a number of academic adjustments to students with learning disabilities. These include extended time for testing, reduced-distraction testing environment, texts and books in alternate formats, reading services, audio recordings of classes and note-taking. The college ensures compliance with the requirements set out in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and can make these accommodations for both online and on-campus students. Over 50 associate and bachelor programs are available online; students can earn an affordable degree in such subjects as psychology, graphic design, nursing, automotive technology, criminal justice and many more.

The oldest and largest public university in the state, the University of Alabama was established in 1820 and is a research university located in Tuscaloosa. The school’s Office of Disability Services is the main resource for providing academic accommodations to both on-campus and online students with learning disabilities. More than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered online at UA. Subjects include business, health, education, engineering, law, nursing and social work. Online coursework is delivered through the Canvas learning management system, which includes built-in features for both instructors and students to ensure that learning disabilities do not impede students from fully benefiting from the university’s academic offerings.

Located in Framingham, Massachusetts, Framingham State University offers students with learning disabilities, both on-campus and online, special academic accommodations. These include extended test time, a reduced-distraction test environment, calculators, and readers and textbooks in alternative formats (such as digital and audio). It is also possible for students with learning disabilities to waive the requirements for certain courses, such as math or foreign language, or substitute courses with others. Framingham State University offers several affordable online degree programs including undergraduate and graduate degrees. Distance students can choose from such fields as business administration, education and nursing.

Founded in 1890, Washington State University is a public research university located in Pullman, Washington. The school's Access Center provides accommodations and services to both on-campus and online students with learning disabilities as well as those with mental health conditions. Special accommodations include reduced-distraction testing environments, extended time for tests and exams, access to lecture material, alternative print media and assistive technology. Note-taking assistance and priority registration are also available. WSU offers online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in such subjects as business, communication, science and technology, agriculture and education.

The University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system. The school’s Disability Services office arranges for special accommodations for on-campus and online students with learning disabilities. Such services include additional time to complete assignments, alternate format textbooks, captioning services, document conversion and extended time for exams. The University of Massachusetts-Amherst offers over 150 affordable degree and certificate programs and more than 1,500 classes online. The Blackboard learning management system is the university’s platform for delivering coursework; the system has many features that provide full access to students with learning and other disabilities.

Concordia University, one of the top affordable colleges for students with learning disabilities, is a liberal arts university located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Office of Student Accessibility Services works with students and instructors to provide academic accommodations in order to reduce barriers in both traditional and virtual classrooms. Students can pursue more than 40 affordable associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs online. Concordia University ensures that web-based information and services are provided to all students, including those with physical and learning disabilities, in an accessible manner.

The Student Disability Center at Colorado State University-Fort Collins works with on-campus students who have physical or learning disabilities, and every effort is made to provide the same accommodations to online students as well. Additionally, the university uses the Canvas learning management system to deliver coursework to online students. Canvas is compatible with screen-readers and has many features designed for students with physical and learning disabilities, including keyboard shortcuts and extra time for quizzes and tests. Substitution for courses may also be allowed in order to meet specific requirements. The university’s online learning options cover a wide array of degrees and subjects; more than 40 affordable online and hybrid degree programs are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Founded in 1864 and located in Washington, D.C., Gallaudet University is a federally chartered private university for the education of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The Office for Students with Disabilities at the university is committed to providing all students — both on-campus and online — equal access to learning opportunities. Online coursework for distance learners is delivered via the Blackboard learning management system; the system features special accommodations for students who have learning disabilities. Other services for students with disabilities include counseling support, alternative print materials and special testing accommodations. Several online degree programs are available at Gallaudet University at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Part of the State University and Community College System of Tennessee, East Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Johnson City. The school’s office of Disability Services works to provide accommodations for students with physical and learning disabilities. Accommodations such as alternative answer sheets, low distraction rooms, reader on audio tape, oral testing and extended test time are available. Additionally, attendance requirements may be waived or altered to accommodate a student’s disability-related needs. Several affordable online degree programs are offered at the university. Students can choose from undergraduate and graduate programs in nursing, sociology, marketing, criminal justice and many more.

Wayne State University is a public institution headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. The school’s office of Student Disability Services provides academic accommodations for on-campus and online students with physical and learning disabilities. Such accommodations may include alternate testing environments and materials in alternate formats. Students who are learning online receive their coursework via the Canvas learning management system. This system has many built-in features and capabilities that make online learning accessible and productive for students with physical or learning disabilities. WSU offers several affordable degree programs online at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students can choose from such subjects as social work, pharmacy sciences, information sciences and performing arts.

A public institution headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, Florida Atlantic University’s office of Student Accessibility Services ensures that all students, including those learning online, have equal access to classroom instruction and the university community. Assistive technology and training, priority registration, materials in accessible formats and other accommodations are provided to those with physical or learning disabilities. Online coursework is delivered via the Canvas learning management system, which contains many features that ensure an easy and pleasant experience for students with disabilities who are learning online. More than 40 graduate and undergraduate degree programs are available online in subjects such as nursing, engineering, education and business.

At California State University-Chico, the office of Disability Support Services is responsible for helping students and faculty determine and provide appropriate academic accommodations for students with physical and learning disabilities. Online coursework is delivered via the Blackboard learning management system, which includes many features for students who have physical or intellectual limitations. Other learning disability-friendly services include alternate media, attendance flexibility, audio recording of lectures, course substitution, exam accommodations and priority registration. The university offers affordable graduate and undergraduate degree programs online. Among those offered are Bachelor of Arts degrees in social science, liberal studies, religious studies and sociology, and a Master of Science in nursing.

The University of Montana is a public research university located in Missoula, Montana. The university's Disability Services for Students ensures equal access to university programs for all students, including those with learning disabilities. Accessible technology services are available, and the university provides training and consulting for electronic documents, software, media, websites and other materials. Captioning and transcription services are available as well. UMOnline offers several online degree programs at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. The school works with faculty and staff to create online content that provides barrier-free access to all online learners. UM strives to provide online students with disabilities with a positive, practical and comfortable learning environment.

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a public research university located in Lubbock, Texas. Three different offices — Student Disability Services, IT Help Central and eLearning and Academic Partnerships — monitor websites and learning platforms for all online content to ensure that materials are fully accessible and usable by students with disabilities, including those with learning disabilities. All online programs are accessible to students with disabilities. Additional accommodations include priority registration, alternate format for materials, consultation and counseling. Online students can choose from a number of affordable degree programs in fields such as finance, political science, English, education, philosophy and agriculture.

Founded in 1926, Southern Oregon University is a public liberal arts institution located in Ashland, Oregon. The office of Disability Resources provides support services to online and on-campus students. Accommodations for students with learning disabilities may include special exam accommodations (extended time, reduced-distraction environment), note-taking services, extensions on assignments, priority registration for classes, taped lectures and alternate format materials. Affordable graduate and undergraduate degree programs are available online, including a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Leadership and a Master of Business Administration.

The University of Denver is a private research university located in Denver, Colorado. The school’s Disability Services Program ensures that students with disabilities — both online and on campus — have equal access to the university’s courses and programs. Services for online and on-campus students with learning disabilities include test accommodations (such as extended time or minimal distraction spaces), alternate format materials and course substitutions. The University of Denver delivers all online coursework via the Canvas learning management system, which includes many built-in features that ensure a positive experience for students with learning disabilities. Other accommodations include audio recording of lectures, early registration, foreign language substitution courses and referrals to other services and programs. Several affordable online degree programs are offered.