20 Best Value Colleges for Students with ADHD

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale understands that a "one-size-fits-all" approach is not the best way to help learning disabled students. So instead of offering a single comprehensive service for all undergrads, SIU's ACHIEVE program provides a collection of resources that cater to a variety of learning disabilities. To support this mission, this top college for students with ADHD employs a wide range of staff, including "advisors, case managers, test proctors, academic coaches, and content specific tutors." These trained professionals can help ACHIEVE members with everything from time management and organizational coaching to reading and writing assistance to personal counseling. And in the end, each participant enjoys a unique and customized experience that suits their exact needs.

When it comes to learning disability programs, many of the schools on this ranking set a high bar for quality. Yet Thomas More College's Institute for Learning Differences (ILD) somehow manages to up the ante even further. In fact, with everything from self-advocacy coaching and life skills workshops to individualized learning plans and assistive technology training, it would almost be harder to name a service the ILD doesn't offer for students dealing with ADHD in college. And while many of these resources are optional, all program participants will benefit from five to seven hours of contact time with their success coach each week.

Eastern Kentucky University's Project SUCCESS combines academic coaching, individualized tutoring, and focus groups to provide a full suite of resources for learning-disabled students. Academic coaching specifically emphasizes "goal clarification and achievement" and serves as an important source of accountability and structure for those who frequently struggle to stay on track. Individuals with ADHD may also find the focus groups to be particularly useful, as they address topics like time management, test-taking strategies, and learning styles. And while Project SUCCESS is fee-based, applicants from any of Kentucky's 51 Appalachian counties are eligible for a tutoring grant that could cover the entire cost of participation - talk about an affordable ADHD college program!

West Virginia University's top ADHD college program is called MindFit, and it's exactly as intense as it sounds. The MindFit program is comprised of two main services: Academic Enhancement and Cognitive Enhancement. The former consists of one-on-one academic coaching in skill development and executive functioning (such as time management and study strategies) as well as content tutoring. The latter is a unique service that focuses on improving overall cognitive function through games, exercises, and neurofeedback training. Both services are designed and delivered by qualified learning specialists who are experienced with ADHD and other common learning disabilities.

Appalachian State University has one of the most unique, most affordable ADHD college programs on our ranking. Focused primarily on helping students with executive functioning challenges (EFCs), ASU's As-U-R program is practically made for individuals with ADD/ADHD. Services include peer mentoring and strategic tutoring, individualized instruction in learning strategies, and customized training to alleviate issues related to planning, organization, and task follow-through. To encourage accountability, As-U-R also requires participants to spend at least three to six hours each week in "Study Central" (aka study hall). In addition, the program highly encourages members to enroll in one of two skill-building seminars for students who learn differently.

Anyone who struggles with an attention deficit disorder will attest to the fact that ADHD and college courses are natural enemies. Fortunately, Dean College offers a unique set of learning resources that can take that relationship from discord to harmony. Some of the school's more typical services include assistive technology, free tutoring (from faculty and staff as well as peers), and fee-based academic coaching. But what really sets Dean apart is its Arch Learning Community, an all-inclusive program that features specialized academic advising, weekly seminars, and one-on-one coaching sessions. Arch members even have access to smaller classes to increase focus and accountability in the classroom.

As one of the five best colleges for students with ADHD, Davis & Elkins offers (almost) everything one could ask for in a learning support program. Each week, SLP participants meet with a program instructor to discuss their progress, set and review goals, and work on identifying their learning strengths and weaknesses. Depending on individual needs, these meetings may also focus on developing better time management and organizational skills. Members must also attend five hours of a supervised study hall each week and have the option of attending group meetings specifically for students with ADHD and executive function challenges.

Most of the schools on this ranking of top colleges for students with ADHD consolidate their services into one program. And while Southern Methodist University does not, the resources it offers are no less robust. To start, undergrads with attention deficit disorders can sign up for one-on-one academic coaching and receive targeted instruction to improve their learning strategies. Those who could use some extra help might also enroll in a special "Reading and Learning Strategies" course for LD/ADHD students. And for incoming freshmen who want support from their peers, too, the on-campus "Students for New Learning" organization will gladly match them with an upper-class mentor.

What makes Limestone a top college for ADHD students? To find the answer, one needs only look to the Program for Alternative Learning Styles, or PALS. This program offers everything that students with ADHD will need to succeed - and then some! Benefits of participation include regular consultations to improve time-management/organizational skills, supervised study halls, tutoring sessions, and supplementary academic advising. PALS also offers a one-credit course on study strategies each semester and provides regular progress reports to encourage accountability. And students who want to push themselves even further might consider attending a workshop on a topic like study habits or writing techniques.

For the past 35 years, Mount St. Joseph has been providing assistance for learning disabled students through Project EXCEL. And after more than three decades in the field, MSJU has learned a lot about what it takes to be one of the best colleges for ADHD students. The goal of the program is not just to help undergrads with learning differences make it through college, but to actually see them succeed academically. As such, members of Project EXCEL receive practically unparalleled support, from adult professional tutoring and executive function coaching to personalized academic advising and progress monitoring. In addition, all freshmen participants must enroll in a "Study for Success" course to ensure they start their college journey on the right track.