2018 Most Affordable Online Colleges for Students with Disabilities

Cleveland State University is an affordable, nationally-ranked school that offers working adults the option of getting their degrees online. Its innovative online accelerated MBA program allows students to obtain their degree in one year, while the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program can be completed in as little as three semesters. A Bachelor's degree in organizational leadership is also offered, as are several Master's degrees. CSU's Office of Disability Services engages with students to ascertain their needs and provide accommodations accordingly.

University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus learning institution and a primary senior military college, has an extensive online presence. Undergraduate core requirements are offered online through eCore (free textbooks included). Other courses and degrees, including master's degrees in international affairs and public administration, and an RN-to-BSN, are offered through UNG Online, as are associate degrees and certificates. Student Disability Services has a comprehensive web portal that includes online request forms, tests, information packets and resource contacts.

Founded in 1854, Hamline University has a 12:1 student faculty ratio and counts itself as a primarily face-to-face learning institution. However, it does offer several high-quality, online bachelor's degree completion courses, as well as a number of fully online master's degrees. Its 100% online Master of Arts in Education is 34 credits in length and can be completed in 18 to 24 months. Its online Master of Public Administration with weekend residencies every 8 weeks requires 48 credits and two years for completion. While online classes are well-suited for many students with disabilities, additional online resources offered by the university include online registration with the Disability Resources Office, online forms, counseling services and links to off-campus resources.

SUNY College of Technology at Canton offers distance students 13 online majors and access to over 450 online courses. These regionally accredited programs are designed in a ladder curriculum, allowing students who start in a certificate or associate program to apply their first years of study toward associate or bachelor’s degrees if they so choose. Academic adjustments are offered on a case-by-case basis to students with disabilities. 

Youngstown State University is a member of the nationally recognized peer review process Quality Matters, which is designed to guarantee the quality of online classes. It offers a bachelor's degree in applied science, and online completion programs in several disciplines including general studies, criminal justice, and respiratory care. Its half-dozen master's degree programs include financial economics, business care and human services. YSU makes sure that its web-based information is available and understandable to all persons with disabilities, and many of its resources are available online.

Long renowned for its affordability, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is now also making waves with its online school. In addition to offering over 25 video conference classes, it also offers over 80 undergraduate classes online, as well as 100% Master's degrees in a variety of different disciplines including social work, art therapy and education. The Master of Arts in Communications Studies also allows students to earn a graduate certificate while they complete their degree. Distance learners with disabilities will find that online request forms will streamline their requests for classroom and testing accommodations.

One of the many advantages of enrolling in an online degree program at University of Arkansas is the in-state tuition that applies to all distance learners. Another is having full access to U of A's extensive support network. While U of A offers a full range of online programs including minors and certificates, it also offers six 100% online bachelor's degrees and 36 master's degrees. Subjects range from education, to electrical engineering, to information systems. The campus-based Center for Educational Access offers online students with disabilities such resources as counseling and psychological services and a One Stop student guide web portal.

Waldorf University has an extensive online presence, offering over 50 different online bachelor's degree programs in 12 different disciplines and 10 different master's degree program. It offers 10 different bachelor's degrees in criminal justice alone, with specializations ranging from homeland security to criminal justice. In addition to offering several different online scholarships, the university also provides textbooks at no cost to Waldorf online students through the Waldorf Book Grant and Loan-a-Book programs. In addition, distance students participating in the Learning Disabilities Program receive academic counseling and advising, academic progress monitoring and a limited course load during their first semester.

Texas Tech University is the place to go for serious distance learners. With 11 bachelor's degrees and 45 master's degrees available to online students, it pushes the envelope on ease and affordability. Its Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies allows students to design their own degree, while the more traditional Master of Industrial Engineering trains competent industrial engineers and engineering managers to excel in real world industry, consulting, university teaching and research. TTU's 24/7 chat and online support provides distance students with assistance with financial aid, account balances, IT support and more, while its Student Disability Services department provides distance students with resources such as an online, informational department video and an online application process for extended services.

Cedarville University offers over 130 degree programs, all with Christian, biblical underpinnings. In addition to offering College Now online classes to high school students, it offers online master's degree programs in subjects such as bible & ministry, business, education, healthcare, and general studies. Students enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing - Online degree program can choose from family nurse practitioner, global public health nursing, and nurse educator concentrations. Disability Services include one-on-one consultations, assessments, accommodations, and supplemental instruction. 

University of Louisiana-Lafayette provides its distance students the luxuries of online tutoring, 24/7 technical support, and online library services. Through UA online it offers bachelor's degree programs in health services administration, Kinesiology, and general studies. Its online Master of Business Administration has eight different concentrations including finance, hospitality management, project management and sales leadership. Distance students with disabilities should place a formal request for auxiliary aids and services such as braille or large print books with the Office of Disability Services.

Discerning distance students might wish to take advantage of the online graduate programs offered by Gonzaga University. These include master's degrees in theology & leadership, sport and athletic administration, communication and leadership studies, and organizational leadership. Several advanced nursing degrees, from RN-to-MSN to a doctorate, are also offered. Gonzaga has over 30 years experience teaching distance learning, and offers student support seven days a week. Flexible courses, experienced faculty, and accreditation all sweeten the deal. Online resources for students with disabilities include an online interpreter request form and online harassment and discrimination forms. 

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offers many options for students to pursue an online degree, such as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Bachelor of Science in Education, and a Master of Business Administration. The Center for Students with Disabilities provides a wide variety of support services to serve the needs of students with disabilities. Accommodations can include alternative testing, captioning, note-taking assistance, pre-enrollment assessment for individuals with complex disabilities, and more. Students with disabilities should apply for services at least eight weeks before the term of enrollment to provide enough time to get approved and accommodated properly.

University of Massachusetts - Amherst aims to provide the most appropriate accommodations available for people with disabilities. Students with disabilities are also eligible to apply for scholarships such as the Class of '43 "Making a Difference" Scholarship, the Joseph V. Gavin “Keep the Faith” Scholarship, and the James M. Begin Endowment Fund. These scholarships are all awarded by Disability Services each year. UMassOnline was created in 2001 to meet the online educational needs of people all over the world, offering accredited programs through interactive, Internet-based learning systems. Students can earn degrees in accounting, communications, computing, and more.

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) provides various online degrees for students to choose from including undergraduate studies in applied computing and graduate studies in education or community and organizational leadership. The Disability and Assistive Technology Center (DACT ) offers many accommodations to UWSP students including testing accommodations and assistive technology options. UWSP aims to structure all information that is made available electronically can be accessed by any individual regardless of disability via desktop or mobile browsers, text-to-speech applications, and more.

Endicott College is a private college that offers online degrees at the associate, master’s, and bachelor’s levels. Students can choose from degree programs such as an AS in Computer Science, a BA in Psychology, or an MBA in Human Resources. Academic accommodations pertaining to online studies include extended time for tests and alternative text materials. Additional resources may be available on a case-by-case basis. Students are responsible for self-identifying and interfacing with support staff to request accommodations.

University of Minnesota Digital Campus offers online degrees in subjects such as applied health, manufacturing management, accounting, health informatics, computer science, and agricultural business. The Disability Resource Center values diverse identities and experiences. The DRC collaborates with students, faculty, and staff to improve access for people with disabilities, including psychiatric, physical, vision, hearing, learning disabilities, or systemic. Accommodations include providing education on access and inclusion as well as determining and implementing reasonable workplace and academic accommodations.

Students at West Virginia University can pursue online degrees in subjects including child development, American history, communication studies, music industry, and legal studies. The Office of Accessibility Services works with individual students to provide them with academic accommodations which include transcriber and interpreter services as well as note-taking. Students with disabilities can obtain academic accommodations for lecture, online, and some lab type classes based on their documentation submitted to OAS, their application, and their meeting with the accessibility specialist. 

As of 2017, there are 1,500 students registered as having a disability at Texas State University. Disabilities that TSU works to accommodate include ADHD, psychological disabilities, chronic illnesses, learning disabilities, blind and visual impaired, deaf and hard of hearing, and more. TSU strives to provide students with the opportunity to reach their full potential. Students with disabilities can be accommodated with assistive technology/audiobooks, extended time on exams, early registration for classes, and more. TSU also offers a wide variety of online degrees, such as technical communication, early child care, human services, and higher education.

UConn’s Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) offers many resources to students who sign up for the program, including students who take online courses. This includes a transition-accommodations meeting where an outline is crafted towards making the transition to attending the university. CSD also hosts an annual national scholarship essay competition for students with disabilities. In addition to these resources and opportunities, CSD also provides students with alternative media aids, note taking, and other useful accommodations. UConn offers several online degree and certificate options from a Master’s of Educational Technology, to an Occupational Health & Safety post-baccalaureate certificate program.

Carnegie Mellon University offers several courses online covering subjects such as information technology and software engineering. CMU takes pride in their easy-to-use web platform that keeps students connected to their peers and faculty. Additionally, the Office of Disability Resources is available to make accommodations for students with disabilities. By contacting the disability resource team, students can work with staff to create a Student Individual Accommodation Plan to help ensure a successful learning experience.

At Lesley University, students can choose from numerous options if they are pursuing an online degree, including psychology, business management, and liberal studies. Additionally, many learning options are available for students with disabilities. Academic and testing accommodations, including extended testing times, assignment deadline adjustments, and alternative course materials, make studying online at Lesley University a good option for many students. Lesley University also requires all faculty members to include the appropriate Disability Services statement in their syllabus.

Utica College is a liberal arts university that promotes professional study through a community of diverse learners. The university's Office of Learning Services provides resources and guidance for both traditional and online students with disabilities. Some examples of accommodations offered by Utica College include textbooks in alternate formats and counseling to improve learning and time management strategies. UC online students can earn degrees and certificates in fields like criminal justice, cybersecurity, nursing, fraud and financial crime investigation, data science, health care administration, and more.

The Office of Student Disability Services at Murray State University provides accommodations and services to students with documented disabilities, including cognitive disabilities, health impairments, seizure disorders, mobility impairments, and more. Murray State University also provides the Student Support Services program to students with disabilities to inspire, empower, and challenge students to complete their degrees. Students can choose from online degrees such as business, telecommunications systems management, and manufacturing and engineering technology.

The University of Montana's Disability Services (DS) works with faculty and staff in departments throughout the university to facilitate equal access to education for students with disabilities. Online students who register with DS have easy access to the center’s online services and staff through the “accommodate” database on the University of Montana website. The University of Montana offers liberal arts, graduate, and professional training to over many students through traditional and online delivery methods. UM Online students can earn degrees such as an AAS in Energy Technology or a BA in Media Arts. Graduate level students can earn their master’s degrees in several fields including public administration, public health, or music education.