Due to continuing interest in the country’s education system, Italy attracts many international students. It is known for its long academic tradition, public universities, research institutions, arts institutions, and a growing number of programs taught in English.
Beyond its universities, Italy is also known for its food, wine, historic cities, and cultural landmarks. This is why many international students are eager to explore the rich history and culture of different Italian cities.
If you are interested in experiencing university life in Italy, read below as we offer information about the tuition and other expenses you may need to cover once you become an international student in Italy.
Cost of Studying in Italy
Academic Costs / Tuition Fees
Italy is home to the University of Bologna, which presents itself as the oldest university in the Western world, and the country has a long history of higher education. What makes it attractive to international students is the country’s growing list of English-taught programs, many of which are offered at public institutions with comparatively moderate tuition fees.
Tuition fees in Italy vary by institution, program, and student circumstances. Public universities generally charge less than private institutions, and fees for both EU and non-EU students commonly depend on declared family income and the degree program. As a general guideline, public university tuition is often listed at about €900 to €4,000 per year, while private institutions may charge much more.
Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna lists tuition of €7,500 for some full master’s programs, while other master’s programs may have different fees. Some courses also state that limited partial tuition waivers may be available for citizens of non-OECD countries, depending on funding and eligibility.
The University of Trento calculates tuition for non-EU students in English-taught master’s programs based on admission scores in the first year and credits earned in later years. Depending on the program group and student performance, fees can range from an exemption to several thousand euros, and in some cases may reach €10,000 in later years.
The University of Bologna calculates tuition according to the student’s financial situation and other conditions. Students with eligible income documentation or specific merit, disability, or other exemption conditions may receive partial or total reductions; some eligible students pay only the fixed amount required after the variable part is exempted.
If you are interested in engineering and technology degree programs, you may also consider the Polytechnic University of Milan. Its fees depend on academic year, ISEE or equivalent financial documentation, credit load, and scholarship status. For students entering 2026/2027, a standard study plan can reach about €3,943.04 before reductions, while reserved non-EU master’s students without scholarships or other benefits generally pay the maximum applicable amount.
The University of Siena can also be an affordable option, but tuition is not a single fixed average for all students. For the 2025/2026 academic year, its contributions are calculated based on the type of program, the student’s financial situation, academic merit, year of enrollment, and credits earned.
Cost of Living in Italy
1. Rome
Rome, the capital of Italy, is one of the country’s largest and most popular student cities. The cost of living in Italy varies geographically, so living expenses in Rome are generally higher than in smaller towns.
When living in Rome, a room in a shared apartment may cost about €500 to €650 a month, while a single room with a private bathroom in a shared apartment may cost about €650 to €750, depending on the property and location. Some university-affiliated residences and private options may cost more, so always check what is included in the contract.
For living expenses overall, Sapienza University of Rome advises students to budget at least €800 to €900 per month to live in Rome. This amount should cover accommodation and basic daily expenses, but your actual costs will depend on your lifestyle, housing location, and whether utilities are included.
2. Bologna
Bologna is the largest city in the Emilia-Romagna region in Northern Italy and is home to some of the country’s well-known pasta dishes, cheeses, and wines.
Accommodation is one of the main expenses for every international student who wishes to live in Bologna. The University of Bologna lists the average cost of a single room in a shared apartment at about €400 per month plus utilities, while a shared room in a shared apartment costs about €300 per month plus utilities.
Transportation around the area is not expensive, with an ordinary urban bus ticket costing €1.50 for 75 minutes. Students can also use a city pass for 10 urban bus trips for €14, while a monthly bus ticket for students up to 27 years old costs €27.
Food at a supermarket costs about €60 per week, while a full meal in a university canteen costs about €4.50 to €6.00. Including food, rent, transportation, and other essential living expenses, a student budget of about €750 to €1,100 per month in Bologna can still be a reasonable planning range, depending on rent and lifestyle.
3. Venice
Venice is in the northeastern part of Italy. Living costs can vary greatly depending on whether you live in the historic center or on the mainland. Ca’ Foscari University of Venice advises students to consider a monthly budget of about €900.
In the historic center of Venice, a single room costs about €550 per month excluding utilities, while a shared room costs about €400 per month excluding utilities. On the mainland, a single room costs about €400 per month excluding utilities, while a shared room costs about €300 per month excluding utilities.
Food costs are estimated at about €50 to €80 per week. Public transport is also a major consideration in Venice: Ca’ Foscari lists vaporetto and bus tickets at €1.50 each and a monthly student pass at about €25.
Students in Venice are generally advised to use a Venezia Unica card for public transport. Young people between 6 and 29 may also use the Rolling Venice option, which gives access to reduced tourist transport fares, including a discounted 72-hour youth ticket.
4. Milan
Milan, often described as Italy’s fashion and business capital, has several well-known universities. This is why many international students consider Milan when looking for a place to study and live.
Living in Milan can be more expensive than living in many smaller Italian cities. Politecnico di Milano estimates accommodation at about €400 to €700 per month, depending on the area, room type, and benefits available to the student.
For food, students can set aside about €150 to €200 per month if they buy groceries and cook at home. Social life, mobile phone plans, and study costs should be budgeted separately.
Public transportation in Milan includes buses, trams, metro lines, trains, taxis, car-sharing services, and bike-sharing options. An ordinary monthly urban pass costs €39, while young people under 27 can use a discounted monthly pass for €22.
5. Pisa
Pisa can have a lower cost of living than many larger Italian cities, depending on your rent and lifestyle. The University of Pisa suggests that a student renting a single room in a shared flat should budget about €800 to €850 per month overall, including €400 to €450 for a room with utilities, €300 for food, and about €100 for other housing expenses.
For students renting an entire flat, the University of Pisa suggests a higher monthly budget of about €1,000 to €1,100. A flat with utilities may cost about €600 to €700 per month, with food and other housing expenses added on top.
Pisa has grocery shops, markets, and supermarkets across the city, with larger supermarkets located outside the historic center but reachable by public transport. Students can also use university canteens or eat at local restaurants and pizzerias.
Since Pisa is relatively small, it is easy to get around on foot or by bicycle. The city also has public buses, and a bus ticket within the city costs about €1.70.
As you read above, choosing a city to live in is as important as choosing the university where you will study as an international student. Studying in Italy can be affordable compared with many other destinations, especially at public universities, but tuition and living costs vary by institution, city, housing choice, and personal lifestyle. Take your time to compare the costs of studying and living in Italy before making your decision.
We hope this article on the Cost of Studying and Living in Italy for International Students was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Study in Italy and Available Programs for International Students!
