9 Cheapest Universities in Italy for International Students

So, you’ve set your gaze longingly on the ancient arches of Rome’s colosseum or the artistic masterpieces of Donatello, Raffaello, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci? Bravo! If you’ve considered studying in these historic cities or anywhere else in Italy as an international student, your options extend far beyond just a few months’ exchange program.

The cheapest universities in Italy for international students will save you a bundle on study abroad costs!

Getting your Italian fix on a short whirlwind trip abroad can also be pricey and limiting. So, if you’re still left dreaming about an adventure-filled youth sweeter than nonna’s homemade cannolis, getting your entire degree abroad may be a much better option. Also—surprise—it isn’t necessarily the bank-breaking cost keeping you awake at night either.

The experience of earning a fully accredited degree abroad in Italy may actually be much more affordable than you thought, and comparable to the United States too. Without further ado, let’s dive into the cheapest universities in Italy for international students, both undergraduate and master programs!

How “cheap” are cheap universities in Italy?

The average annual tuition of a four-year public university in the United States for students attending from out-of-state was $26,290 in 2018-2019. Combined with living costs and housing, additional prices range widely depending on the area where the university is. For example, your rent in San Francisco is likely to be several times higher than that in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

So, if we look at “cheap” as being relative to the American college cost, then colleges in Italy for international students aren’t AT ALL as astronomically expensive as you may have been led to think! Like almost anywhere around the world, larger cities are bound to have higher rents and generally steeper living costs. So if you’re after some bargains, Milan, Florence, and Rome may not be the best of choices.

However, the good news is that even if your total cost of attendance is looking a little scary at universities in Italy for international students, there are scholarships galore to help you out. Basically, with some solid preparation and careful research, getting your degree in Italy can be even cheaper than in the United States.

4 cheapest universities in Italy for undergrad international students

If you’re considering anything in the liberal arts, you’ll find no shortage of affordable undergraduate programs in Italy to choose from!

1. John Cabot University

Get that sweet international experience without ditching the American degree. Picking up your bachelor’s at John Cabot University in Rome means low student-to-professor ratios. In other words, you get some good ol’ quality interaction with your instructors, who also happen to hold degrees themselves from the Ivy Leagues and celebrated institutions around the world.

When not conducting original research or studying up for exams, students get to experience ancient history, culture, and architecture first hand throughout Rome. And as if the international allure of getting a degree abroad wasn't enough, John Cabot students all study side-by-side with students from 70 different countries. Enjoy the mini United Nations meeting any time you enter the classroom!

Semester tuition: $13,000-$14,000
Learn more about John Cabot University

2. Studio Arts College International (SACI)

When you think of Italian art history, Florence may be one of the first cities to pop into your head. With a rich art community dating back earlier than even the Renaissance, Florence provides the ideal backdrop for art-curious students.

At Studio Arts College International (SACI), you’ll have the direct plug into the contemporary art scene in Europe. In addition, students have access to courses ranging from digital multimedia, video, photography, and more. Challenge your creative spirit in a whole new environment!

Semester tuition: $14,100-$16,600, depending on program
Learn more about Studio Arts College International

3. The Florence Institute of Design International

From Prada to Armani, Italy is known globally as a hub for good taste in design. So, if interior or graphic design is more your thing, then why not look into getting your bachelor’s at the Florence Institute of Design International?

This school is one of the cheapest universities in Italy for international students and offers an array of different design-focused programs. If the architectural marvels of Florence aren’t enough inspiration, nothing much else will be!

Annual tuition: $10,500 for the Graphic or Interior Design Bachelor’s
Learn more about the Florence Institute of Design International

4. Lorenzo de' Medici

You don’t need to opt for a single university when you can take advantage of a beautiful partnership between Marist College in New York and Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici. This unique program offers fully-accredited undergraduate degrees in the city of Florence.

What’s that mean for you? Well, when you walk out with a degree in hand, you’ll actually receive a U.S. Bachelor’s Degree from Marist College. You’ll sleep well knowing you’re getting a degree fully recognized back home, while also prancing around the sexy cobblestoned streets of Italy.

Annual tuition: $38,900
Learn more about Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici

Feeling lost? Get matched with 5 degree programs in Italy for FREE with our Online Advisor

5 cheapest universities in Italy for graduate international students

Once you get to the graduate level, Italy offers up tons of super niche master’s degrees, in fields such as luxury branding and yacht design.

1. Accademia del Lusso School of Fashion and Design

For one year, you can learn the ins and outs of Fashion Brand Management in Milan, one of the world’s most well known fashion capitals. This strategic location makes it a cinch for students to land internships at some pretty large brand names, too.

In particular, this program takes a comprehensive dive into “Made in Italy” branding and the luxury system in general, analyzing important Italian and international case studies. Keep your eye out for enrollment deadlines at this institution, because the Accademia often offers early bird discounts to make tuition more affordable!

Annual tuition: $26,500
Learn more about Accademia del Lusso School of Fashion and Design

2. Centre International de Formation Européenne

If your wandering soul can’t be contained, then perhaps you ought to give some thought to a multi-country Master program. This one-year long joint Master’s takes students through three cities (Rome, Nice, and Berlin) to round out what is truly an international program.

You’ll gain uniquely different perspectives focused on private and public institutions’ governance by utilizing a wide range of economic and digital intelligence tools. And it gets better! Students have the opportunity to pursue traineeships in a range of global institutions across the continent.

Annual tuition: $11,000
Learn more about Centre International de Formation Européenne

3. European University of Rome

When in Rome, you get your MBA at the Swiss School of Management?? It may seem counterintuitive to travel all the way to Rome only to go to a Swiss school, but trust us — it makes sense.

This MBA program truly embraces the meaning of “international”, from its student population to its global curriculum focused on international management. With your MBA in hand, you’ll be ready to tackle a leadership position or steer into a new career in management.

Annual tuition: $16,500
Learn more about the Swiss School of Management, European University of Rome

4. POLI.design

With a total annual tuition coming in at less than 15 grand, this Yacht Design Master’s at Poli.Design hands down makes the list for one of the cheapest universities in Italy for international students.

This specialized Master equips students with the knowledge and skills to design and construct water craft, from sailing and motor boats. This one-year Master program also has students complete a hands-on internship towards the end, so you can apply your shipbuilding skillset on real-life projects.

Annual tuition: $14,500
Learn more about Politecnico di Milano Design School

5. Istituto Europeo di Design

International students at Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) can pursue Masters’ degrees in a number of — yup, you guessed it — design fields! Finetune your career focus with a degree in anything from graphic to fashion design or anything in between.

IED offers courses all across Italy, including darling cities like Florence, Milan, and even Venice. These programs are a great fit for those either looking to jumpstart a new career or just learn more about what they do.

Annual tuition: $13,200 - $21,000 depending on course
Learn more about Istituto Europeo di Design

Can’t pick? Compare degree programs side-by-side for FREE with MyGoAbroad

Affordable colleges in Italy for international students are calling!

A million-dollar view has never been so affordable!

By now you probably have a solid understanding that you won’t have to sell off your family dog, parents’ home, and life savings to afford a degree abroad in Italy. What about the other common myths for both bachelors’ and masters’ programs abroad?

Well, here’s the low-down:

If you can’t speak Italian, you’re out of luck. WRONG! There are loads of perfectly respectable degree programs (like the ones we listed above) conducted entirely in English for both local and international students.
International degrees won’t be recognized back home. Again, WRONG! Many colleges in Italy for international students partner with American universities to offer fully accredited, joint programs that are essentially an American degree. Otherwise, check out international rankings to see where your school of choice stands.
Curriculum is all the same, so what’s the point in going abroad? UGH, just no! Venturing out to new horizons gives you a brand spankin’ new perspective on topics taught back home. Imagine seeing a whole new side of things in your degree program.

Got that? No excuses! If you’re seriously considering a degree abroad and have found some of the top-contending, cheapest universities in Italy for international students, sit yourself down and run a pro/con analysis. If cost is your biggest priority, be sure to check out all the grants and scholarships available to you before saying arrivederci to home.