Italy definitely has plenty of charms to excite tourists and international students alike. They have a diverse landscape; an enormous cultural and historical legacy; and iconic and historic sites including Rome’s cathedral
There are almost 90 universities and colleges in Italy, and the majority are publicly funded. There are also a number of polytechnics, specialized postgraduate centers, and other academies that form part of the higher education sector.
It’s not surprising that many international students feel at home in Italy. The University of Bologna has been welcoming foreign students since 1088 – it is the oldest university in the world and its foundation gave the city one of its nicknames: la dotta, “the learned one”.
Italy is home to some of the best business schools in Europe, including the prestigious SDA Bocconi in Milan, the country’s financial capital. Its MBA programs regularly top global and European rankings, and many top business leaders are among its alumni.
Many universities and colleges in Italy are stepping up efforts to hasten their internationalization and offer degree programs specifically for international students. There are currently over 500 English-taught study programs available in the country. And every year, there are more and more options to study in Italy in English.
Cost of living and tuition fees in Italy
Italy is a budget-friendly study destination in Europe. While the cost of accommodation and living can be quite expensive in large cities like Milan or Rome, smaller cities are much cheaper. Larger universities and colleges in Italy typically offer support in finding accommodation; with luck, you might get a place in a cheap student home.
Compared to other countries in Europe, Italy’s public universities are cheap. On average, public universities in Italy charge around 1,000 EUR per year. Top-ranked prestigious universities might charge more. And there are special cases like the University of Rome Tor Vergata, where tuition fees are tied to your family’s financial situation: Based on the income, you can be charged from a low minimum of around 150 EUR to a maximum of around 5,000 EUR per year.
Student life in Italy
Italians are known to be welcoming, open people. You will make local friends quickly. And they will teach you that eating out and enjoying high-quality, healthy food is important to la dolce vita (“the sweet life”) for every Italian.
You can get by with a handful of words and phrases in Italian, but English is not widely spoken outside the academic context, so it might be in your best interest to take some lessons in Italian.
Cultural activities include everything from traditional local festivals to major international sporting events. In summer, the majority of people head for the countryside or the sea.
For the quality of life, unforgettable, and a charming experience, choosing Italy as the country provides value for any student.
List of Universities and Colleges in Italy
We provided around 50 lists of universities in Italy for you, with information such as their headquarters, if the university is private or public, and a link to their website for you to further your research. The universities on this list are ranked by classification of the number of students.
Major means the university has more than 40,000 students.
Large means the university has more than 20,000 students but not up to 40,000 students.
Medium means the university has more than 10,000 students but not up to 20,000 students.
Small means the university has less than 10,000 students.
| Name | Location | Public/private | Classification of number of students |
| University of Bari | Bari | Public | Major |
| University of Bologna | Bologna | Public | Major |
| University of Catania | Catania | Public | Major |
| University of Florence | Florence | Public | Major |
| University of Milan | Milan | Public | Major |
| Polytechnic University of Milan | Milan | Public | Major |
| University of Naples Federico II | Naples | Public | Major |
| University of Padua | Padua | Public | Major |
| University of Palermo | Palermo | Public | Major |
| University of Pisa | Pisa | Public | Major |
| University of Turin | Turin | Public | Major |
| Sapienza University of Rome | Rome | Public | Large |
| University of Cagliari | Cagliari | Public | Large |
| D’Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara | Chieti, Pescara | Public | Large |
| University of Genoa | Genoa | Public | Large |
| University of L’Aquila | L’Aquila | Public | Large |
| University of Salento | Lecce | Public | Large |
| University of Messina | Messina | Public | Large |
| Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore | Milan | Private | Large |
| University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli | Caserta | Public | Large |
| University of Parma | Parma | Public | Large |
| University of Pavia | Pavia | Public | Large |
| University of Perugia | Perugia | Public | Large |
| University of Calabria | Rende | Public | Large |
| University of Rome II “Tor Vergata” | Rome | Public | Large |
| University of Rome III | Rome | Public | Large |
| University of Salerno | Salerno | Public | Large |
| Politecnico di Torino | Turin | Public | Large |
| University of Verona | Verona | Public | Large |
| Marche Polytechnic University | Ancona | Public | Medium |
| Polytechnic University of Bari | Bari | Public | Medium |
| University of Bergamo | Bergamo | Public | Medium |
| University of Brescia | Brescia | Public | Medium |
| University of Ferrara | Ferrara | Public | Medium |
| Bocconi University | Milan | Private | Medium |
| University of Modena and Reggio Emilia | Modena, Reggio Emilia | Public | Medium |
| Parthenope University of Naples | Naples | Public | Medium |
| University of Naples L’Orientale | Naples | Public | Medium |
| Niccolò Cusano University | Rome | Private, online | Medium |
| Marconi University | Rome | Private, online | Medium |
| University of Sassari | Sassari | Public | Medium |
| University of Siena | Siena | Public | Medium |
| University of Trento | Trento | Public | Medium |
| University of Trieste | Trieste | Public | Medium |
| University of Udine | Udine | Public | Medium |
| University of Urbino | Urbino | Public | Medium |
| Ca’ Foscari University of Venice | Venice | Public | Medium |
| Free University of Bozen-Bolzano | Bolzano | Public, private | Small |
| University of Cassino | Cassino | Public | Small |
| LUMSA University | Rom | Private | Small |
These are some of the universities, actually the major well-known universities in Italy.
FAQ
How much does it cost to study in Italy?
Studying in Italy is actually cheaper compared to other countries in Europe. The tuition fee can be anything from 1,000 EUR to 5,000 EUR per year.
How many universities are in Italy?
In Italy, there are about 97 universities and out of 97, we have 50 major ones which are all listed here. The remaining school is quite unknown for now, so we didn’t list them here.
Is Italy a good place to study for international students?
Yes. You will feel welcome by the indigenes and they will readily help or assist you to have the best experience in Italy. And the educational aspect of it is top-notch.
