Get to Know Beacon
We’re a close-knit community of diverse learners located in Leesburg, Florida! Here, students with learning differences navigate the academic rigor and expectations of college, gain hands-on career experiences, and build lifelong relationships with peers from around the world.
The best way to get to know Beacon is to get an overview of who we are and what our students have accomplished.
College Profile
- Located in Leesburg, Florida
- Founded in 1989 by visionary parents
- Dedicated exclusively to the undergraduate preparation of students who learn differently (those diagnosed with LD, ADHD, AD, ASD)
- First accredited baccalaureate institution in the U.S. exclusively devoted to collegians with learning differences
Our Students
515
Undergraduates representing 42 states and 6 foreign countries
12-15
Average class size
90%
Freshman to Sophomore year retention rate
95%
of students receive financial assistance
Faculty and Staff
14:1
Student to faculty ratio
41
Faculty
61%
of faculty have a terminal degree
College Rankings
#3 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional College
Beacon College vaulted towards the top of Southern colleges and universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Colleges regional rankings, earning a No. 3 ranking. The premier placement lands Beacon in the top tier for the second consecutive year.
#1 BestValueSchools.com for Students with Learning Disabilities
Beacon College was rated No. 1 in BestValueSchools.com’s ranking of the 20 Best Value Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities. The website rates universities, colleges, and degree programs for the best return on investment.
#5 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional College for Social Mobility
Beacon climbed to No. 5 among the regional colleges as a top performer in social mobility. According to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, “some colleges are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students.”
#1 Peterson’s Great Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities
Peterson’s pointed to Beacon’s flexibility in offering both “associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs designed for students who learn differently” and cheered the “70% on-time graduation rate, which is well above the national average rate for students diagnosed with learning disabilities.”
#3 Great Value Colleges
As Great Value Colleges put it: “Seven different sources name Beacon College as one of the best colleges for students with disabilities. Beacon’s specialized approach has seen results, with strong numbers to back its education up.
#8 Best Colleges in Florida
BestColleges.com uses an objective benchmark — analyzing metrics such as affordability, enrollment and graduation rates, and student outcomes from the National Center for Education Statistics — to calculate its rankings for Florida’s two-year, four-year, and online schools.