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The Best Universities for Economics in Italy (2024)

Written by Vincent Hedman

Why Study Economics in Italy

There are many reasons why someone might want to study Economics at a university in Italy. Here are just a few:

  • Italy's long-standing historical and cultural significance provides a unique backdrop for studying economics, with insights into the development of modern economic systems, trade practices, and the evolution of fiscal policies.
  • Italian universities often maintain a strong curriculum in classical economics while also offering exploration in modern theories and applications, providing a rounded view of economic thought.
  • Situated as a key player within the European Union, Italy positions students at the heart of a multifaceted economy, offering a deeper understanding of the EU market and the policy impacts on a national and regional scale.
  • Many Italian professors and researchers are internationally recognised for their contributions to the economic field, providing students with invaluable mentorship opportunities.

The Best Universities in Italy for Economics

The following tables give the 10 best Italian universities for Economics, according to global and local university rankings. It can show you which Italian universities are amongst the best in the world and help you compare institutions on an international level.

This information is based on the latest rankings tables, researched and published by Times Higher Education, QS and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).

Each ranking system uses its own methodology, with different factors having more or less influence on a university's result.

For more information on using international rankings as a postgraduate, see our guide.


Top 10 Italian Universities for Economics (Times Higher Education)
University Italy Rank Global Rank
University of Bologna 1 101-125
Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies – Pisa 2 126-150
Free University of Bozen-Bolzano 3 176-200
Sapienza University of Rome 4 176-200
University of Padua 5 201-250
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice 6 251-300
University of Rome Tor Vergata 7 251-300
University of Turin 8 251-300
University of Bergamo 9 301-400
University of Messina 10 301-400
This information is based on the latest rankings tables, researched and published by Times Higher Education. Visit their website for more information.

What should I know about the Times Higher Education rankings?

The Times Higher Education rankings are strong in academic focus and diverse teaching metrics, but do not include employer-specific metrics. Additionally, the rankings may not include all specialist institutions.


Top 10 Italian Universities for Economics (QS)
University Italy Rank Global Rank
Bocconi University 1 16
University of Bologna 2 =84
Luiss University 3 =114
Sapienza University of Rome 4 =135
Ca' Foscari University of Venice 5 151-200
European University Institute 6 151-200
University of Rome Tor Vergata 7 151-200
University of Padua 8 151-200
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 9 201-250
University of Milan 10 251-300
This information is based on the latest rankings tables, researched and published by QS World University Rankings. Visit their website for more information.

What should I know about the QS rankings?

The QS World University Rankings are designed to meet the needs of prospective students, with more weight given to student-centric metrics such as staff/student ratio, international recruitment and employer opinion. The rankings are balanced between qualitative and quantitative data, but give less weight to research than some other rankings.


Top 10 Italian Universities for Economics (ARWU)
University Italy Rank Global Rank
Bocconi University 1 32
European University Institute 2 101-150
University of Bologna 3 101-150
Ca' Foscari University of Venice 4 201-300
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore 5 201-300
Politecnico di Milano 6 201-300
Roma Tre University 7 201-300
University of Milan 8 201-300
University of Padua 9 201-300
University of Rome Tor Vergata 10 201-300
This information is based on the latest rankings tables researched and published by Academic Ranking of World Universities. Visit their website for more information.

What should I know about the ARWU rankings?

The ARWU rankings reflect the presence of elite academics and the future academic success of graduates. However, they do not directly assess the quality of education at a university or take into account other aspects of university performance.

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Last updated: 10 October 2024