Finding the best colleges for students with autism assists both their parents and, more importantly, the students themselves.

College is an exciting experience, but it can also be incredibly challenging and demanding. Transitioning to college can be difficult.

For autistic individuals, college is more than simply an academic obstacle. They’d have to learn to live independently, stay organized, meet new people, and try to enjoy campus life.

Personal, intellectual, and social assistance are extremely beneficial for students with autism. However, many students’ special education services terminate at the age of 21 or 22, depending on the state.

This deprives them of the previously supplied Esse full assistance and educational accommodations. More than half of young adults with autism do not go to college.

Of the 35 percent who later try, the majority are denied admission. And if they do, they frequently drop out and do not finish.

Fortunately, there are various universities across the country with programs to assist. As a result, we’ve prepared a list of the top colleges for autistic kids.

List of Best Colleges for Students with Autism

Although there are many colleges with some sort of aid program for students with autism.

Below are a few of the best colleges for students with autism, who take it as a duty to ensure these students get all the help they need.

#1. Bellevue College

Location: Bellevue, WA
Annual Tuition: $3,230
Program: Autism Spectrum Navigators

Bellevue College is the largest of colleges that make up the Washington community and technical college system.

Students here have a variety of degrees and learning options. With the freedom to attend either online or on-campus classes as they choose.

Bellevue offers either a:

two-year associate degrees
technical degrees and certificates
four-year bachelor degrees

The Autism Spectrum Navigators program (ASN) is a program specifically designed for students with autism at Bellevue.

The courses are so designed that they coincide with the student‘s regular classes.

Skill development to career preparation.

In addition, this ASN program is freely accessible to students at no extra cost. They also receive support from their teachers and peer mentors.

#2. Appalachian State University

Location: Boone, North Carolina
Annual tuition: Not Specified

Appalachian State University is a large public school that has a chapter of Autism Speaks Inc.

One of the largest autism advocacy organizations in the country.

This reason alone signifies that the school, its students, and the staff community understand the autism spectrum and are also very supportive.

Through Autism Speaks Inc., Appalachian State students with autism have access to:

various social networking efforts
special events
academic and career services
counseling, and much more

Moreover, Appalachian State University supports research efforts regarding autism. It also offers courses on Autism Spectrum Disorders and even provides eligible students with Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificates.

#3. University of West Florida

Location: Pensacola, Florida
Annual Tuition: $7,798
Program: Autism Training Center

The University of West Florida is also one of the best colleges for students with autism.

It is a midsize public state university located on a natural preserve in Pensacola.

It provides a special program for Autism, where students receive one-on-one social, academic, and career support.

Students with autism may also move into campus early. By doing so, they can benefit from two days of assistance to learn how to adjust and live on their own.

This however attracts a $100 price, which is quite considerable for the services offered.

#4. Boston University

Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Annual Tuition: Not Specified

At Boston University, the Strategic Education Services (SES) are free to all students. Also being a leading institution for autism research, it gears its services towards motivating students.

Helping them to pursue social interactions and build skills.

The Strategic Education Services at Boston University provides individual and personal assistance for students with psychiatric, developmental, and attentional disabilities.

Weekly one-on-one sessions are organized to aid students in developing skills in time management, organizing and planning, self-advocacy, and interpersonal skills.

#5. Edinboro University

Location: Edinboro, PA
Annual Tuition: $10,281
Program: Boro Autism Support Initiative for Success (BASIS) Program

Edinboro University is doubtless one of the best colleges for students with autism.

Through its Boro Autism Support Initiative for Success (BASIS) which is an individualized support program that provides various services to the students concerned.

Such as social and academic sessions with a transition coach, and peer advising.

They also have access to writing specialist services and social activities. Additionally, Edinboro University has a modest cost for enrollment.

Edinboro University is interested in the all-round development of the student and can sometimes cater to extra costs that may arise.

#6. University of Connecticut

Location: Storrs, Connecticut
Annual Tuition: $11,998
Program: SEAD (Strategic Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder)

At the University of Connecticut, the support for students with autism spectrum disorder begins on day one. The Strategic Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (SEAD) program makes this possible.

Students are paired with staff and mentors to guide them in adjusting to college life while they attend the freshman seminar.

Through this program, the students get access to support and guidance in developing their skills. Also, they get prepared for their career and they can continue to work with the Beyond Access PRogram throughout their stay in school.

However, to join the program costs from about $1,800 to $3,600 per semester.

This pricing generally varies depending on the number of hours the student works with the instructor. The skills learned on campus can be useful in social interactions and the job market.

#7. Western Michigan University

Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Annual Tuition: $12,174
Program: Autism Services Center

The autism service center at Western Michigan University offers a unique opportunity for students to start life at a good pace.

Students who participate have the option of arriving on campus during the summer.

This happens weeks before classes begin.

This also helps them settle in, enroll in classes, and even complete some part-time jobs assigned to them. By doing so, they can learn the campus better.

Once school begins, available services expand to peer mentoring through:

the “Best Buddies” program
organized social events
Informational services like “Test Taking Skills” and “Dating 101” are also available for those who need them

#8. Rutgers University

Location: New Brunswick, NJ
Annual Tuition: $11,619
Program: DDDC (Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center)

The Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers University is an ABA program.

It provides specialized education services and behavior intervention through a full day. Thus serving the needs of students with autism and their families.

Also, it is the largest university in New Jersey and one of the most autism-friendly universities in the country! Rutgers University boldly sits as one of the best colleges for students with autism syndrome disorder.

Through the DDDC, Rutgers can facilitate various accommodations for those in need. Examples might include:

pairing students with neurotypical mentors who can help expand their social network
arranging a peer mentor to attend club meetings with them for support.

#9. University of Alabama

Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Annual Tuition: $11,580
Program: UA-ACTS Program (University of Alabama, ASD College Transition and Support)

The University of Alabama ASD College Transition and Support (UA-ACTS) program equips students with Autism Spectrum Disorders to safely and successfully attend such a large university.

The program greatly helps students acclimate to college life on campus.

The program offers personal training from faculty members, students, and clinical psychologists to autistic students.

Founders of the program hope that through it, college students with autism at the University of Alabama gain the necessary skills.

Skills to not only thrive in their college lives but to become independent adults who also succeed in their careers.

It provides such services as:

routine check-ins
one-on-one academic advising
guidance in communicating with peers and professors
mental health care, and more.

#10. Fairleigh Dickinson University

Location: Madison, NJ
Program: COMPASS Program
Annual Tuition: $44,145

The COMPASS program at Fairleigh Dickinson University aims to identify the strengths and develop new skills. All in a bid to progress to a higher level of independence.

High-functioning students stand to benefit massively from this two-year program.

Since it is so structured for students participating in it to access weekly therapy, counseling, and academic guidance.

These supports are available for both in-group and individual basis. However, only six students are accepted into the program each year.

This small group increases their personalized access to the various aids available and the group setting is generally unintimidating.

Each year, the university offers a scholarship to one of the students in the program to help offset the cost.

FAQs About the Best Colleges for Students with Autism

What is the best college for autism?

Above, we’ve provided a comprehensive list of some of the best colleges for autism and the services they offer.

What state has the best schools for autism?

Colorado.
Colorado was found to be the state with the best schools for autism.
Whereas Virginia offered the least support to students with autism.

Can an autistic child become normal?

Many with autism or autism spectrum disorder can live normal lives.
However, in severe cases, an autistic child may never learn how to speak or make eye contact.

How many autistic kids go to college?

Following the findings of a 2011 study, about 17 percent of young adults with autism enroll in a 4-year college.

This figure is relatively low compared to the 21 percent of young adults with learning disabilities and 40 percent of people with visual or hearing impairments.

Summary

Being a student in college can be incredibly challenging, more so, if you have an underlying condition. We’ve highlighted some of the best colleges for students with autism.

These colleges have evolved in their care, support, and assistance toward students with autism. They try to make college life as stress-free as possible for them.

Looking up a few of them will go a great length to help you secure the best program for any student with autism.

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