Introduction to university costs in Italy
In the Italian educational landscape, the costs of universities represent a crucial issue for students and their families. The Federconsumers’ observatory, in collaboration with the Isscon Foundation, has recently published a report that analyzes university fees for 2025, highlighting the significant differences between the various institutions. This article will explore the results of this analysis, with particular attention to Lombard universities, which are confirmed to be the most expensive in the country
.
Traditional universities: a comparison between regions
According to the report, Lombard universities are at the top of the ranking when it comes to university fees. The University of Milan, for example, has an average of 3,808.56 euros, with costs that vary depending on the faculty: 3,360.00 euros for the humanities and 4,257.12 euros for the scientific ones. In second place is the University of Pavia, with a tax of 3,343.00 euros for the humanities and 4,141.00 euros for the scientific ones. These figures highlight a significant gap compared to universities in Southern Italy, where fees are on average 28% lower than those in the North
.
Telematic universities: costs and opportunities
An important innovation of the 2025 report is the inclusion of telematic universities in cost monitoring. The fees for online degree courses vary between 2,000 and 4,290 euros per year, depending on the chosen course of study. Unlike traditional universities, where fees can be adjusted according to the ISEE, in telematic universities the costs remain fixed. This makes it easier for students to plan their expenses, although it is essential to consider ancillary expenses, such as secretarial fees and the regional fee for the right to study
.
Concessions and opportunities for students
Despite the high costs, many universities offer economic benefits for different categories of students, such as young people, pregnant women and members of the Armed Forces. The 2017 Budget Law introduced the ‘no tax area’, which allows significant reductions for students with an Isee of less than 22,000 euros. However, it is important to note that, despite these measures, Italy continues to register a low rate of graduates, with only 30.6% of young people between 25 and 34 years of age holding a qualification, well below the European average of 43.1%
.
Conclusions and future prospects
The Federconsumers’ report highlights the need to guarantee equitable access to university studies, reducing not only tuition costs, but also the ancillary expenses that burden families. It is essential that educational institutions and the government work together to improve accessibility to higher education, so that more young people can complete their studies and actively contribute to the labor market
.