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
Activities and Recreation
27
Student-led organizations
30+
Organized activities each week
15+
Competitive and intramural sports
9
Athletic areas and pocket parks
College Rankings
Forbes Accessibility 100
Recognized as a biggest innovator and impact-maker in serving individuals with learning disabilities, Beacon College has earned a prestigious spot on Forbes’s inaugural Accessibility 100 list.
#21 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional College 2025-2026
Beacon College remains in the top 25 for the fourth consecutive year in Southern colleges and universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-2026 Best Colleges regional rankings, earning a No. 21 ranking.
#6 U.S. News & World Report Best Regional College for Social Mobility 2025
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.
#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.