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Are you planning to pursue your higher education abroad, but not sure which country is best in terms of education, and affordability? Well, your answer is Italy. At several Italian public universities, the tuition fees averages between €500 and €4,000 per year, while living costs run approximately €700 to €1,200 per month, offering affordable education options. Italy is quickly becoming the hub for higher education, surpassing countries like the United States of America, Australia, and English, all thanks to the globally recognized universities, affordable tuition fees, access to international job market, and much.
If you want to know the cost of studying in Italy, this article is for you. In this article, we will discuss what you can expect financially when you choose to study in Italy – one of Europe’s most welcoming education destinations.
In Italy, there are two types of universities – Public and Private. While both universities provide world-class education, public universities are more affordable due to their tuition fee being income-dependent (ISEE). Here’s the breakdown of tuition fees at the two university types based on the programs offered:
| Program Type | Tuition Fees at Public Universities | Tuition Fees at Private Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate programs | €500 – €4,000 | €6,000 – €20,000 |
| Postgraduate programs | €1,000 – €5,000 | €7,000 – €25,000+ |
| MBA Programs | €8,000 – €12,000 | €20,000 – €38,000+ |
| PhD Programs | Often Free (Stipend Provided) | €5,000 – €10,000+ |
Italy offers high-quality education at affordable rates, especially for Indian students. Tuition costs vary based on the university type (public or private), study program, and student nationality. With available scholarships and grants, studying in Italy becomes even more budget-friendly. Below is a breakdown of the average tuition fees at the top universities in Italy. This can help you plan your education budget better.
Italian Public universities are known for their high-quality education at low tuition rates, especially for international and Indian students. Many of these universities calculate fees based on the student’s financial background (ISEE) and offer generous scholarships and financial grants. Here are some of the top public universities in Italy, and their tuition fee:
| University | Annual Tuition Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| University of Bologna | €2,000 – €3,000 |
| University of Padua | €2,500 – €3,000 |
| Sapienza University of Rome | €1,000 – €2,500 |
| University of Milan | €600 – €3,900 |
| Politecnico di Milano | €900 – €3,900 |
| Politecnico di Torino | €161 – €3,821 |
| University of Pisa | €2,400 – €2,500 |
| University of Trento | €1,000 – €4,000 |
| University of Florence | €1,000 – €2,500 |
| University of Naples Federico II | €600 – €2,500 |
While private universities in Italy have higher tuition fees, they offer more personalized learning experience, industry connections, and English-taught programs. These institutions often focus on specific fields like business, design, or media, and provide competitive scholarship options to attract global talent. Below is a quick look at the costs in top private universities.
| University | Annual Tuition Fee (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| SDA Bocconi School of Management | €18,000 – €38,000 (MBA) |
| Luiss Business School | €12,000 – €20,000 (MBA) |
| Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore | €3,800 – €10,400 |
| John Cabot University | €8,000 – €18,000 |
| IULM University (Milan) | €4,500 – €10,000 |
| Rome Business School | €7,000 – €14,000 |
| NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti) | €7,000 – €19,000 |
| Domus Academy (Milan) | €14,000 – €28,000 |
| IED (Istituto Europeo di Design) | €14,000 – €18,000 |
| MIB Trieste School of Management | €18,000 – €25,000 (MBA) |
There is no denying that the cost of education in Italy is relatively affordable, but students should also account for monthly living expenses, such as accommodation, food, transport, and other personal needs, when selecting a study-abroad destination.
Below is the breakdown of cost of living in Italy.
| Expense Category | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (rent) | €300 – €700 |
| Food and Groceries | €150 – €250 |
| Public Transport | €25 – €45 |
| Utilities & Internet | €50 – €100 |
| Study Materials | €30 – €50 |
| Mobile & Internet | €10 – €30 |
| Leisure & Personal | €50 – €100 |
In Italy, the cost of living for international students significantly depends on the city they choose to live in – major cities like Milan and Rome are expensive, whereas smaller towns like Pisa or Turin offer more reasonable living costs. On that note, the cost of living in different cities comes around
| City | Cost of Living |
|---|---|
| Milan/Rome | Up to €1,500/month |
| Florence/Pisa | €600 – €1,200 per month |
| Naples | €600 – €800 per month |
For the low cost of studying in Italy, the country not only offers affordable tuition fees, especially at the public universities, but also a wide range of scholarships and financial grants. These scholarships are provided by the Italian government, universities and regional authorities, and can cover tuition fees, living expenses, and even accommodation costs.
These scholarships are merit-based, or income based. Some of the popular scholarships in Italy options include:
| Scholarship Name | Covers |
|---|---|
| DSU Scholarship (Diritto allo Studio Universitario) | Tuition waiver, meals, accommodation |
| Italian Government Scholarships | €900/month stipend, covers tuition fees |
| Invest Your Talent in Italy | Tuition waiver, €900/month stipend |
| University-Specific Merit Scholarships | Partial to full tuition fee waivers |
| EDISU Piemonte Scholarship | Tuition, living allowance, accommodation |
| Bocconi Merit and International Awards | Full/partial tuition + accommodation |
| Politecnico di Milano Merit Scholarships | Full tuition waiver + up to €10,000/year |
| University of Bologna – Unibo Action 1 & 2 | Tuition fee waiver and/or €11,000 |
| Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships | Full tuition + monthly stipend + accommodation |
| MIB Trieste MBA Scholarships | Up to 50% tuition off |
Working part-time is a popular way for international students to cover their living expenses, and gain work experience. In Italy, international students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic session, and full 40 hours during holidays. Here are some of the popular part-time jobs in Italy are:
| Job Type | Average Pay (€ / hour) |
|---|---|
| Waiter/Barista | €7 – €10 |
| Library/University Assistant | €8 – €12 |
| Retail Staff (Cashier/Store Helper) | €6 – €10 |
| English Tutor/Language Assistant | €10 – €20 |
| Delivery Rider | €6 – €10 + tips |
| Freelancing (Online Work) | €10 – €30 |
| Internships (Paid/Unpaid) | €500 – €1,000/month (paid) |
| Receptionist/Admin Support | €8 – €12 |
The cost of studying in Italy is relatively affordable as compared to other popular study-abroad destinations. Similarly, when it comes to the cost of living in Italy, students can expect to spend between €700 to €1,200 per month, depending on the city and lifestyle. However, options like scholarships, financial grants, part-time work and affordable student housing, this becomes manageable.
With the right financial planning, and support, Italy truly offers a world-class education at a fraction of the cost, making it an ideal destination for Indian and international students alike.
Do you have questions? Check out these frequently asked questions from visitors and applicants. See if we address your concerns, or feel free to contact us directly.
No, Italy is super affordable for Indian students seeking to pursue their higher education abroad. With low-tuition fees, scholarships, and part-time work opportunities, the cost of studying in Italy for Indian students is manageable.
No, Italy is super affordable for Indian students seeking to pursue their higher education abroad. With low-tuition fees, scholarships, and part-time work opportunities, the cost of studying in Italy for Indian students is manageable.
The cost of studying in Italy significantly depends on the city you are living in. The bigger cities like Milan or Rome, you can expect your monthly expenditure reaching up to €1,200 – 1,500/month. Whereas, the smaller cities like Pisa, Florence are more affordable with cost of living falling between €700 – 1,000/month.
In Italy, the budget to study significantly depends on the university you study in. While the cost of education in public universities can fall between €9,000 – 12,000/year, the elite private or MBA colleges charge around €25,000 – 40,000/year.
University of Milan is a public university, and therefore, you can expect a lower tuition fee, which falls around €3,900/year for non-EU students. Further, several merit/need based scholarships are also available for the eligible students.
While the cost of studying in Italy significantly depends on the university and the program you choose, we can say that Politecnico di Torino and Milano can charge as low as €150–161/year based on ISEE. Other public universities also charge €500–€1,000 for low-income families.
Yes, International students can choose to work for up to 20 hours per week during the academic session, and 40 hours per week during holidays to cover their accommodation, and other living expenses.
As the days pass by, Italy is increasingly becoming the go-to dream destination for students aspiring to pursue their higher education abroad.
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