Although Italy is often known for its beautiful scenery, architecture, and cuisine, it’s also home to amazing, top-ranked universities. If you want to attend graduate or undergraduate degree programs at one of the best universities in Italy, this article comprises a list of the best schools in Italy for international students.
Italian universities are some of the most prestigious universities available in European countries, and luckily for students, they typically have an affordable cost compared to American universities. Keep reading for Italy schools ranked in our list of the best schools in Italy, and what makes these public and private institutions worthwhile.
What Attracts Students to Universities in Italy?
Students are attracted to study in Italy for the affordable tuition rates across degree programs. Even though the tuition rates are lower, the quality of education doesn’t suffer since they employ highly qualified professors and academic faculty.
As well, these historic universities offer a unique experience that students love, with international students growing fonder of the culture. The world-class university experience fostered at these Italian institutions gives students the opportunity to explore not only the world of academia, but also Italian life itself.
Italy Schools Ranked: An Overview
| Italy Rank | World Rank on Times Higher Education | World Rank on US News | Institution |
| 1 | 172 | 117 | University of Bologna |
| 2 | 197 | 124 | Sapienza University of Rome |
| 3 | 197 | 303 | Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa |
| 4 | 201 to 250 | 119 | University of Padua |
| 5 | 201 to 250 | 379 | Vita-Salute San Raffaele University |
| 6 | 301 to 350 | 169 | University of Milan |
| 7 | 310 to 350 | 284 | University Of Rome Tor Vergata |
| 8 | 351 to 400 | 237 | University of Trento |
| 9 | 301 to 350 | 295 | University Of Milano-Bicocca |
| 10 | 401 to 500 | 209 | University of Turin |
The Best Universities in Italy, Explained
International students seeking university education in Europe should consider the top 10 best universities in Italy. In the section below is an explanation as to what makes these universities the best schools, including their academic experts, rich history, international student and local student benefits, and how they produce illegient and responsible citizens globally.
1. University of Bologna
- Campus Location(s): Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna, Rimini
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #117
University of Bologna was founded in 1088 and has five campuses, 32 departments, and 200 academic programs. The school doesn’t just take pride in the quality education they offer but is also committed to achieving sustainable development.
As well, University of Bologna welcomes international students, since it has 71 international programs. Bologna University provides scholarships to qualified students, study grants, meal and housing discounts, fee exemptions, and tutorships.
2. Sapienza University of Rome
- Campus Location(s): Rome
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #124
Sapienza University of Rome was founded in 1303 and was initially called Studium Urbis. They also have excellent quality of education, as they provide scientific research activity in areas like astrophysics and archaeology.
Sapienza University of Rome has 11 academic divisions in civil and industrial engineering, economics, information engineering, information and statistics, mathematics, physics and natural sciences, medicine and psychology, medicine and dentistry, pharmacy and medicine, sociology and communication science, and political science.
3. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa
- Campus Location(s): Pisa, Florence, Tuscany, Ital
- Acceptance Rate: 52%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #303
Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa is one of the Italian universities with special student selection based on factors like merit, lessons on a seminar basis, and integrated college life. The cultural experience is quite unique in the university as researchers, students, and teachers live in the same environment.
There are three academic structures that are currently present in the university. These are faculty of humanities, faculty of mathematical and natural sciences, and institute of humanities and social sciences.
4. University of Padua
- Campus Location(s): Padua, Italy
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #119
University of Padua was established in 1222 and is the second oldest university in Italy. This is considered to be one of the most prominent and prestigious universities as it has 32 departments, 49 specialization schools, and 43 research and service centers.
University of Padua offers programs under engineering and technology, social sciences, arts and humanities, clinical and preclinical health, law, business and economics, computer science, life sciences, psychology, physical sciences, and education.
5. Vita-Salute San Raffaele University
- Campus Location(s): Milano, Italy
- Acceptance Rate: 5%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #379
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University is one of the private universities in Milan that started with just one department in 1996. It offers degree programs like biotechnology, physiotherapy, dental hygiene, psychological sciences and techniques, psychology, and medicine and surgery. The school is recognized by the quality education it provides, especially in its humanistic medicine courses.
6. University of Milan
- Campus Location(s): Milan, Italy
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #169
University of Milan was founded in 1924 and currently has a student population of 64,000 students. It is known for its artistic and cultural heritage that includes botanical gardens and other historic buildings.
University of Milan has a vast collection of books in 47 libraries. Currently, University of Milan has eight faculties, two schools, and 31 doctoral schools. There’s a rich student life waiting for qualified students, as it has sports facilities and student clubs.
7. University of Rome Tor Vergata
- Campus Location(s): Rome, Italy
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #284
University of Rome Tor Vergata was founded in 1982 and has six faculties including economics, school of law, engineering, humanities and philosophy, physics and natural sciences, and medicine and surgery.
The vital role that the university holds, aside from delivering quality education, is to promote local social innovation and growth. Students can look forward to being involved in creating interdisciplinary and thematic research programs.
8. University of Trento
- Campus Location(s): Trento, Italy
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #237
University of Trento is a medium-sized university that offers undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs. Some of the academic departments the school have are law, physics, environmental and mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, psychology, cognitive science, and mathematics. University of Trento is known for their laboratory work and small seminar groups it provides for its students.
9. University of Milano-Bicocca
- Campus Location(s): Milano, Italy
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #295
University of Milano-Bicocca was founded in 1998 and became a dynamic and prestigious institution in Italy. Students who get into a degree program there would see that it has state-of-the-art laboratories and modern infrastructures.
As of the moment, it has 32 university buildings, four congres facilities, three libraries, 226 research labs, and 195 modern classrooms. Students will also enjoy leisure areas like sport facilities, theaters, and cinemas.
10. University of Turin
- Campus Location(s): Turin, Italy
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- US News Country Rank: #209
University of Turin was founded in 1404 and is considered as one of the oldest European universities. International and American students who haven’t been to Italy will enjoy the architecture of the school and the botanical gardens around.
University of Turin currently has 27 departments and four doctoral schools. With Turin University’s excellent academic systems, it was able to produce Nobel Prize winners like Salvador Luria.
How We Created Our List of the Best Schools in Italy
In order to create our list, we followed the Times Higher Education 2022 World University Rankings. This ranking was created by evaluating teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry outcomes of over 1,600 institutions from around the world. Complementary information was retrieved from the US News Best National University Rankings.
Is a Top University in Italy Right for You?
Yes, a top university in Italy is right for you if you wish to enjoy both lower tuition, but also a rich cultural experience as you obtain your bachelor’s degree. The country of Italy is filled with immersive experiences and will provide you with valuable opportunities that will last a lifetime. For those interested in tech and concerned about their qualifications for a program, coding bootcamps for international students are a great preparation option.
Best Universities in Italy FAQ
The number one university in Italy is University of Bologna. This University offers programs like education, humanities, law, medicine, engineering, and technology. It has 90,291 students as of right now.
Yes, Italy has good universities and some of these universities have been around for centuries. These universities have proven themselves, as they retain students from around the world. In addition, these universities have stunning architecture which makes campus life enjoyable for most students.
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The average tuition fee in Italy is $7,200 to $24,100. This is quite cheap compared to the US average tuition fee which is $22,698 to $38,185. You might also have to pay for student visas.
Most of the schools require students to speak Italian since this is the primary language, but it is best to check with the school in case you’re not proficient with the language. Not speaking Italian might be a challenge for you in maximizing your time to learn about your specific program.
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