
Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities: Our Top 3 College Cities
If your child has a learning disability, it’s understandable to feel anxious about their college prospects. In the face of an uncertain future, the best approach is to take it one step at a time. Start by talking to your child about their interests and goals for higher education. Gather information from reliable sources, such as your child’s school counselor or special education specialist, to better understand their specific educational needs. And keep reading this blog post to learn about the best colleges for students with learning disabilities to ensure your child gets the best education.
Can Someone with a Learning Disability Go to College?
First things first, if your child with a learning disability wants to go to college, they can! And with the right support, they can succeed. Start by preparing your child for college now so that they feel more comfortable and confident once the time comes. And start preparing yourself as well. You might feel nervous, anxious, excited, or overwhelmed, but if you believe in your child’s ability to succeed, you will calm your nerves and boost their confidence.
Best Cities and Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities
When your child has a learning disability, choosing where they’ll attend college is a very important decision. Should they stay close to home? Should they attend a college with programs specifically for LD students? Or should you let your child choose where they’ll go? Most importantly, where are the best colleges for students with autism and other learning disabilities? At Mansfield Hall, we’ve done the research for you and have identified the best colleges for learning disabilities. They are excellent educational establishments, and the “college town” provides an opportunity for engagement and independence.
In every city where there’s a Mansfield Hall “Super Dorm,” these characteristics are also true:
- The campus is the heartbeat of the town and community
- The location is pedestrian-friendly, with reliable public transportation
- The area has a large university, a private college, and a community college
- The community has progressive ideas and open minds about innovative services for people with disabilities
So, where are these magical cities and top colleges for students with autism and other learning disabilities? Madison, WI, Eugene, OR, and Burlington, VT.
Madison, Wisconsin
Mansfield Hall is located in the historic Mansion Hill District–the primary student housing enclave in the heart of Madison, WI. This college town has ranked #1 for the best place to live, #8 for being the happiest, healthiest city, #1 for college sports town, and #4 for the most bike-friendly city.
The best colleges for students with learning disabilities in Wisconsin are:
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Edgewood College
- Madison College (aka Madison Area Technical College)
- Herzing University
You can learn more about our Madison, Wisconsin-based Mansfield Hall living and learning community here.
Eugene, Oregon
Mansfield Hall is located in the West University District–the center of undergraduate housing in Eugene, OR. If your child enjoys being in the great outdoors, choosing a college in Eugene might be an excellent choice. Eugene is an active college town with great food, sports, arts, and more, tucked along the folds of the Willamette River between the snow-capped Cascades and the lush Coastal Range.
The best colleges for students with learning disabilities in Oregon are:
- University of Oregon
- Bushnell University
- Lane Community College
You can learn more about our Eugene, Oregon-based Mansfield Hall living and learning community here.
Burlington, Vermont
Mansfield Hall is located in the heart of the University District–just a few blocks from the city’s colleges and universities. Burlington is a small but beautiful city, minutes away from world-class ski and snowboard resorts, hiking trails, and endless outdoor recreation opportunities.
The best colleges for students with learning disabilities in Vermont are:
- University of Vermont (UVM)
- St. Michael’s College
- Champlain College
- Community College of Vermont
You can learn more about our Burlington, Vermont-based Mansfield Hall living and learning community here.
Send Your Child to One of the Best Colleges for Students with Autism and Other Learning Disabilities
We strategically chose Mansfield Hall’s three locations to ensure students with learning disabilities have access to some of the best colleges and universities in the country. And with the option to live at Mansfield Hall during their time in college, they’ll also have access to support and resources to help them succeed.
At Mansfield Hall, we focus on creating a safe and supportive environment for students with learning disability to live during their college years. Our highly-skilled staff helps students master the applied independent living skills required to transition into college life successfully. With student housing, study spaces, a student cafe, staff offices, and hang-out spaces all under one roof, students build community while excelling in their studies. Contact us today for more information about sending your child to one of the best colleges for learning disabilities and Mansfield Hall.
Feeling overwhelmed in college- but not sure why? you’re not alone.
The key isn’t just “pushing through”, it’s learning to recognize what’s happening before you hit that wall, and having systems to reset.
That might look like:
• stepping outside for a walk
• box breathing between classes
• putting on a guided meditation
• reaching out to someone you trust
Small supports = big difference over time.
At Mansfield Hall, we help students build the awareness and tools to regulate, recharge, and navigate college in a way that actually works for them.
What’s one thing that helps you reset when you’re overwhelmed?
#CollegeLife #StudentMentalHealth #ExecutiveFunction #StressManagement
Excellent week across the board!
People Ops team member Jo touched down in Madison, receiving a warm welcome with coffee and a trip to see the Capitol building. VP of Program Ops Hayley grounded herself and took in the beauty of the Statehouse. Pancakes were served, and Burlington student Nikhil took the stage to perform with his choir.
A great week to zoom out and back in- and reflect on all the things we have to be grateful for!
#collegesupport #neurodiversity #worklifebalance
College can be energizing… and draining.
If you’ve ever felt socially exhausted, you’re not alone.
Understanding your limits (and what helps you recharge) can make all the difference.
#CollegeStudents #Neurodiversity #StudentWellbeing
Hangin` in there until spring weather kicks in!
This week at Mansfield Hall our Eugene, OR students did some rock climbing, Burlington, VT connections students took an outing to the bowling alley/arcade, while others took a trip to a local sugar house to learn about all things maple syrup. Students in Madison, WI continued their endeavors to learn about all things maintenance...and they make it look fun!
Happy Friday Friends- enjoy the weekend.
Mansfield Hall had the joy of hosting some professionals at our Madison, WI location recently, which included a student panel.
One of the questions asked was: What do you like about Mansfield Hall?
The answer: how inclusive it is.
No one gets to choose the brain they have, but we do get to choose the world we create. We choose to accept, celebrate, and work toward a world that’s more inclusive of every brain and the incredible things they can do.
Happy World Autism Awareness Day. We see you, and we celebrate you for all that you are and all that you can be!
❤️MH
#autismawareness #neurodiversity #collegesupport
Sensory overload happens when your brain receives more sensory input than it can comfortably process.
Our nervous systems are constantly taking in information, but when there’s too much coming in (or it’s coming too fast) our systems can become overwhelmed.
We get it, and it can be managed with small, intentional supports like reducing input, creating predictable routines, and building in quiet recovery time.














