College is a stressful and unpredictable time in a young adult’s life, and if you struggle with different modes of learning or inexperience with certain aspects of the college lifestyle, it can often feel quite scary. For new or established college students who need support in their journeys toward academic and personal success, coaching is often very helpful. College coaching can help students with procrastination, academic performance, and even executive functioning skills.
The guide below lists some of the top college coaching providers in the country. If you are looking for top-tier coaching, these six providers are the best to check out!
How We Ranked These College Coaches
In July 2026, an independent research team reviewed and evaluated over 50 different college coaching providers. Using a weighted scale consisting of five crucial factors, the team ranked all of the providers and gave them a cumulative score out of 100. The factors used to evaluate each provider are listed below:
- College Environment Specialization (30%): The provider has a strong focus on college prep, college coaching, and academic performance, including with students who have ADHD or neurodivergence.
- Highly-Trained, Certified Coaches (20%): The provider employs coaches with advanced degrees, experience at coaching students, or rigorous in-house training.
- Proven Methodology & Research (20%): The provider uses research and thought leadership to structure coaching methods and frameworks for diverse student bodies.
- Type & Level of Availability (15%): The provider offers either online or in-person coaching on consistent schedules, along with flexibility and frequent check-ins.
- Clear Pricing & Offerings (15%): The provider publishes their packages and offerings with visible prices.
Best Coaches for College Students: 2026 Comparison
| Rank | Name | College Environment Specialization (30%) | Highly-Trained, Certified Coaches (20%) | Proven Methodology & Research (20%) | Type & Level of Availability (15%) | Clear Pricing & Offerings (15%) | Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Frontiers | Strong focus on college transition; ADHD and neurodivergence coaching available | In-house trained coaches with specialization in executive functioning | RISE and RASP frameworks; 1:1 personalized coaching | Online weekly or hourly sessions | $185–$250/hour; free discovery call | 94 |
| 2 | Beyond BookSmart | Not college exclusive, but strong coaching across the college demographic and lifestyle | 200+ coaches; Master’s degree or equivalent | Outcomes measured through ESQ-R; framework of tools and strategies | Weekly 45-minute sessions; scheduling flexibility | $123–$165/session | 91 |
| 3 | Fast Forward College Coaching | College-focused; serves students with learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, anxiety, and autism | Small team of coaches with advanced degrees and expertise in executive functioning skills | Rapport-building framing; personalized question-based coaching | Virtual and in-person (Waterford, CT office) | Starting at $75/session | 88 |
| 4 | Academic Coaching Associates (ACA) | ADHD and neurodivergence focused; ADHD-proven strategies | Non-student, highly trained, experienced professionals | Focus on executive function skill-building; set weekly time slots with lesson notes | Virtual and in-person | Pricing not published | 85 |
| 5 | College Success Plan | Exclusive specialization in college student coaching; experience with over 250 colleges and universities | Coaches hold advanced degrees; intensive proprietary training program; many accredited coaches | Research-based curriculum and resource guides built on accountability, structure, and consistency | Fully virtual, weekly 1:1 sessions; parent-facing mid-semester and end-of-term reports | Pricing not published | 82 |
| 6 | Grayson Executive Learning (GEL) | Strong academic/ADHD/EF coaching; high school and college focus | All coaches hold an M.A., Ed.D., or Ph.D; highly selective recruitment and training | Holistic model focused on behavioral adaptation | Online sessions twice a week; parental input included | Two packages ($2,950/$5,330); premium rate | 79 |
1. New Frontiers: Best Overall Coaching for College Students
New Frontiers is among the best providers of dedicated college coaching for students across the country. Founded in 2012, New Frontiers offers a wide variety of coaching services applicable to college students of all levels, backgrounds, and interests. Employing in-house-trained coaches with strong backgrounds and decades of experience, New Frontiers can help students, including those with ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence, build up the executive functioning skills they need to transition into and get through college.
New Frontiers pairs students directly with 1-on-1 coaches who guide them through weekly online sessions that have a high degree of scheduling flexibility. All sessions are structured around New Frontier’s proprietary RISE and RASP frameworks. These frameworks teach students to Recognize, Identify, Strategize, and Evaluate in response to problem-solving, as well as to Review, Assess, Strategize, and Plan during each session, reinforcing important organizational habits to build independence and other crucial life skills.
- Founded: 2012
- Online/In-Person Availability: Weekly online sessions or flexible hourly sessions
- Pricing: $185–$250/hour
Summary of Online Reviews
Clients of New Frontiers stated that the coaches they worked with had tremendous experience and were excellent guides and instructors. They praised New Frontiers for offering services that many college campuses don’t have, and several college professors have also stated that New Frontiers has helped improve student performance and confidence.
2. Beyond BookSmart: Best for Broad Academic Coaching
Beyond BookSmart is one of the largest executive functioning coaching services in the U.S., and they support a diverse population of students from elementary school through adulthood, though their college segment is very popular. Beyond BookSmart’s coaching primarily focuses on improving student procrastination, disorganization, and academic stress. All outcomes are measured using the ESQ-R (Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised), with a focus on overall increases in plan management, time management, organization, and emotional-behavioral regulation. With weekly, structured virtual sessions, students can go into every meeting with their Beyond BookSmart coach knowing exactly what to expect.
- Founded: 2006
- Online/In-Person Availability: Fully virtual
- Pricing: $123–$165/session
Summary of Online Reviews
Beyond BookSmart has a high retention rate among reviewers, with many testifying clients stating that their initial coaching inspired them to return for further coaching after completing an initial period of work. Reviewers highlighted meetings as convenient and easy to attend due to being online, and they also stated that there were a variety of well-fitting coaches for diverse student types.
3. Fast Forward College Coaching: Best for Smaller-Scale Coaching
A boutique-sized college coaching service Fast Forward College Coaching was founded by Jennifer Sullivan, an educator with experience in coaching college students from years at UCONN, Goodwin University, Mitchell College, and College of Mount Saint Vincent. Serving students with learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, anxiety, and autism, Fast Forward College Coaching employs extremely qualified, degree-holding coaches who excel at building rapport with clients and creating flexible, question-based plans of action for independent living and college success.
- Founded: 2016
- Online/In-Person Availability: Virtual and in-person (Waterford, CT)
- Pricing: Starting at $75/session
Summary of Online Reviews
Students who worked with Fast Forward College Coaching stated that their coaches were calm and caring, also noting that they were able to make individual connections. Parents stated that their feedback and input was valued and respected, and some students even reported increased confidence that convinced them to continue with schooling.
4. Academic Coaching Associates (ACA): Best for Summer Coaching
Academic Coaching Associates (ACA) was founded in 2008 and offers coaching specifically to ADHD and neurodiverse students who are underperforming academically. Offering coaching to high schoolers, new freshmen, and even established college students, they are known for their “College ReStart Program,” which helps students who have already experienced academic difficulties. All of ACA’s coaches are highly-trained professionals who are not students or recent graduates, and their coaching is offered over the summer, making them a great choice for high school or college transitions.
- Founded: 2008
- Online/In-Person Availability: Virtual and in-person; weekly sessions
- Pricing: Pricing not published
Summary of Online Reviews
ACA’s clients state that their coaching served as an excellent summer program for aspiring college students transferring from high school to freshman year. Students who engaged in the College ReStart Program stated that it helped them get back on track academically. A strong regional footprint was noted in the Boulder, CO area.
5. College Success Plan: Best for a Strict Coaching Curriculum
College Success Plan was founded in 2009 and has since accumulated experience helping students at over 250 colleges and universities nationwide. Employing coaches that hold master’s-level or higher degrees in education, the program also requires coaches to undergo an intense proprietary training program. College Success Plan’s resources and curriculums are consistently updated, ensuring that all students receive the most up-to-date coaching available, with additional coaching for career and major exploration available.
- Founded: 2009
- Online/In-Person Availability: Fully virtual, weekly 1:1 sessions
- Pricing: Pricing not published
Summary of Online Reviews
Clients of College Success Plan stated that their coaching was immensely helpful, particularly in navigating their first year of college. Some students also pointed out that, in addition to their dedicated coach, they were able to receive extra support from peer counselors and other resources provided by College Success Plan.
6. Grayson Executive Learning (GEL): Best for Short-Term Coaching
Another well-known college transition coaching service, Grayson Executive Learning (GEL) employs extremely qualified coaches who often have an M.A., Ed.D., or Ph.D. Their curriculum heavily focuses on making improvements in academics, and they offer two distinct coaching packages, an 8-Week Midterm plan with 17 sessions and a 16-Week Semester plan with 34. A fully-virtual service, GEL is a great choice for students who think they may only need short-term coaching, though many choose to return for more.
- Founded: 2009
- Online/In-Person Availability: Virtual online coaching in 8-week or 16-week packages
- Pricing: $2950 midterm package; $5330 semester package
Summary of Online Reviews
GEL’s clients state that their coaching helped drastically improve their executive functioning. Many students note that their grades improved from just over passing to exceptional levels, while others added that they cultivated long-lasting relationships with their coaches.
Spin-Off Rankings by Use Case
Best Coaching for the High School-to-College Transition
| Rank | Provider | Why They Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Frontiers | New Frontiers has dedicated services for college-transitioning students that focus particularly on executive functioning skills. |
| 2 | ACA | ACA offers summer programs for various grade levels, including new freshman, and accommodates exclusively ADHD/neurodivergent students. |
| 3 | GEL | GEL is a well-known college transition coaching service with short-term coaching plans ideal for graduating high school seniors and new freshmen. |
Best Coaching for Academics
| Rank | Provider | Why They Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beyond BookSmart | Beyond BookSmart focuses on improving student procrastination, disorganization, and academic stress and employs coaches with a strong academic background. |
| 2 | New Frontiers | New Frontiers offers academic coaching to improve and support subject mastery, understanding, retention, and application. |
| 3 | GEL | GEL focuses heavily on making improvements to student academics, with students often stating that they experienced drastic turnarounds in grades. |
Best Coaching for Executive Functioning
| Rank | Provider | Why They Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Frontiers | New Frontiers specializes in executive functioning coaching, using proprietary RISE and RASP models to maximize skill-building. |
| 2 | Fast Forward College Coaching | Fast Forward College Coaching supports students with learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, anxiety, and autism, making executive functioning coaching a large part of their services. |
| 3 | College Success Plan | College Success Plan has dedicated curriculums and updated resource guides that incorporate executive functioning coaching. |
The Best Coaching for College Students
Regardless of the pressures you face when attending college, coaching can help you take on the experience with confidence and optimism! High-quality coaching like the executive functioning training offered by New Frontiers can help you understand the way you learn, tackle the challenges you face, and make lasting changes to support an independent and successful adult life. With only a small investment, you can benefit from lasting skills and strategies that will serve you well both in college and beyond.
If you need college coaching, schedule a complimentary consultation with New Frontiers today!
