MBA in Italy: Public Schools, Low-Cost and Free Options

Located in the south-central part of Europe, Italy is the youngest country in the Western Europe. Declared a sovereign in 1861, Italy is home to 51 World Heritage Sites recognised by UNESCO. Annually, Italy attracts over 65 million tourists and is the fifth most visited country in the world. The capital of Italy is Rome, and it has the smallest city in the world – the Vatican City.

Home to 61 public universities, Italy is one of the most preferred countries for international students because of their reputation and cheap rates for study. Out of the 61 public universities in Italy for international students, around 20 of them rank globally. Italy public universities attract students from all across the world annually. One of the oldest public universities in Italy is the University of Bologna.

The duration of an MBA in Italy is around 12 months for a majority of the universities. However, a few of the universities have the MBA duration as 13-24 months. The cost of studying varies from EUR 30,000 to EUR 70,000. Living costs in Italy is EUR 8,400 approx. Apart from this, Italy offers cheap higher education and, in some cases, free education at public universities.

Top specialisations in Italy are: Finance, Business Economics, Brand Management, Fashion Management

Top-Ranked MBA Colleges in Italy

Listed below are the latest rankings by QS Global MBA rankings 2025:

Universities	QS Global MBA Rankings 2025
SDA Bocconi School of Management	#9
Luiss Business School	#31
Bologna University Business School	#76
Rome Business School	#76

Best Public Universities in Italy 2025

Italy has around 14 top-ranked public universities. These universities, based on their popularity, are as follows:

Politecnico di Milano
University of Bologna
University of Padova
University of Milan
Sapienza University of Rome
Politecnico di Torino
University of Pisa
University of Naples Federico II
Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele
University of Trento
University of Pavia
University of Turin
University of Florence
University of Rome Tor Vergata

Free education in Italy

Studying an MBA in Italy can be expensive for students. However, to reduce the cost of studying in Italy, students can avail the scholarships. A few of the scholarships offered by the Italian Universities are given as follows:

International Talents at the University of Bologna
Politecnico Di Milano
Milano Fashion Institute
IULM University

Free education in Italy for international students is possible through two main possibilities: applying for a scholarship and applying for early bird discounts in fees by applying to Italian universities well in advance. Though Italian Universities are not completely free, two ways allow a full reimbursement of tuition fees. Check out how to study in Italy for free in the sections below.

Scholarships based on merit

Universities publish various calls for scholarships that allow full reimbursement of tuition fees. These calls are usually based on merit, therefore, on the average grade you have or the number of credits you have acquired compared to the total maximum credits you could acquire by keeping up with the exams.

The following are the top scholarships offered at Italy universities for international students:

Bologna University Study Grants for International Students – €11,059
EDISU Piemonte Scholarships – €11,000
Padua International Excellence Scholarship Programme – €8,000
Bocconi Merit and International Awards – €12,000
Politecnico de Milano Merit-Based Scholarships for International Students – €10,000
Università Cattolica International Scholarships – 25% fee waiver

University Financial Aid

Universities in Italy award scholarships to international students each year. These scholarships are given particularly to deserving students who are in a difficult economic situation. The scholarships awarded by universities may come in part of money and a part of services, like catering services, library fees, books and etc.

Scholarships vary in amount depending on various factors, like your economic conditions, tuition fees of the program and living expenses.

Cheap Universities in Italy for International Students

The following universities in Italy are considered as affordable or cheap for international students based on their annual tuition fees:

University of Bergamo – €400
University of Naples – €480
University of Salerno – €800
Polytechnic University of Turin – €1,250
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano – €1,300
University of Pisa – €2,500
Politecnico di Torino – €2,600
University of Perugia – €3,000

Admission Requirements at Public Universities in Italy

The following admission requirements are required for public universities in Italy:

Secondary school qualification and a minimum of 12 years of schooling
GPA of 6.5 or higher
Successfully pass the admission test for a bachelor’s degree for postgrad admissions
Standardised test scores of either:
UG: SAT or ACT score
PG: GRE / GMAT
English language proficiency test scores of either TOEFL or IELTS
Additional Documents Required
Transcripts
Proof of financial support, certification of finances, and bank statements
Copy of passport
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation

Advantages of studying in a public Italian university

Below there is a list of the many benefits from choosing to study in an university in Italy:

Free education in Italy at public universities.
Good level of scholarship availability for international students in Italy’s public universities.
Public universities in Italy charge a minor fee or offer free Italian language classes for international students.
There are ample opportunities on-campus at specifically public universities in Italy for students to gain hands-on experience.
Accommodation at public universities in Italy are cheaper in comparison to private universities in Italy.
Overall, it is a lucrative option to study at public universities in Italy gain hands-on experience and moreover, get cheaper rates for study and accommodation.
The cost of studying at public universities in Italy is quite cheap.

MBA ROI and Jobs in Italy

While average post-MBA salaries can range from €50,000 to over €100,000, specific returns depend on the school’s reputation, program, industry, and individual career trajectory.

ROI at top Italian MBA programs:

SDA Bocconi School of Management: This Milan-based school was ranked among the top in Europe for its strong ROI. As of early 2025, it was ranked highly for value for money and had an average post-MBA salary of $141,000. In 2019, its program showed a 10-year average ROI of $739,325, with a payback period of just 21 months.
MIB Trieste School of Management: For 2025, this school reported an average graduate salary of €116,000.
Bologna University Business School: This school reported an average salary of €89,850 for its 2025 MBA graduates.
Other schools: The average salary for graduates from the Luiss Business School in 2025 was €32,980, and the average salary for graduates from the Rome Business School was €61,250.

According to Payscale.com, the average base salary of an MBA graduate in Italy is €50,000 per year The average salary per year as per gender is given as follows:

Male €31,000 – €121,000
Female €20,000 – €81,000

Conclusion

Italy is becoming a favourable option for international students. The advanced infrastructure and great curriculum are some of the reasons why students from different parts of the world want to study MBA in Italy.

Also, studying in Italy is more affordable than studying in other top locations such as the US, UK, Canada, etc., and the number of English-taught programs is increasing gradually, given the steady influx of the international students.

Italy has also many top-ranked business schools that provide a blend of rigorous academics and practical experience, with programs taught in English.

An MBA in Italy is globally recognized, opening doors to career not just in Italy, but across Europe and the world. Italy’s status as the 8th largest economy and a hub for industries like fashion, design, and finance provides significant job opportunities. Many graduates are employed within 90 days of graduation.

The central location in Europe and a thriving business ecosystem offers the student and future professional excellent opportunities for international networking. Milan, in particular, is a hub for finance and fashion, offering unique career paths. Graduates can also gain strong career opportunities in sectors like finance, and luxury goods, access, and benefit from a rich cultural experience.