57 best universities in Italy in 2026
Ranking based on the average of the three main global rankings: Shanghai (ARWU), Times Higher Education and QS.
Sapienza University of Rome
Average rank: #152
No. 25University of Bari Aldo Moro
Major public Apulian university, renowned for research and teaching.
No. 26University of Perugia
Historic public Umbrian university (1308), recognized in medicine, law, and sciences.
No. 27University of Trieste
Public university in northeastern Italy, renowned in physics, medicine, and international sciences.
No. 28University of Ferrara
Historic public Emilian university (1391), recognized in medicine, architecture, and pharmacy.
No. 29University of Messina
Historic public Sicilian university (1548), recognized in medicine, law, and pharmacy.
No. 30University of Palermo
Historic public Sicilian university (1806), the largest in western Sicily.
No. 31University of Insubria
Young public Italian university between Lombardy and Switzerland, with an international focus.
No. 32University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Public Emilian university (1175), recognized in medicine, automotive engineering, and economics.
No. 33Polytechnic University of the Marche
Public university in Ancona specializing in engineering, sciences, and technologies.
No. 34Scuola Normale Superiore
Public elite institution dedicated to excellence in sciences and humanities.
No. 35Polytechnic University of Bari
Public Apulian engineering school in architecture and technologies.
No. 36University of Parma
Historic public Emilian university (1117), one of the oldest in the world.
No. 37University of Cagliari
Historic public Sardinian university (1606), the island’s largest.
No. 38University of Eastern Piedmont
Public Italian university (1998) recognized in medicine, sciences, and European partnerships.
No. 39University of L'Aquila
Public university in Abruzzo (1452), recognized in engineering, physics, and computer science.
No. 40University of Calabria
Major public Calabrian university, research hub in sciences and technologies.
No. 41University of Tuscia
Public university in Viterbo specializing in agriculture, sciences, and heritage.
No. 42University of Salento
Public Apulian university (1955), young and dynamic, in Baroque Lecce.
No. 43University of Udine
Public university in Friuli Venezia Giulia (1978), strong in sciences, medicine, and languages.
No. 44University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli
Public Campanian university (1991), specializing in medicine, engineering, and law.
No. 45University of Foggia
Public Apulian university (1999), recognized for law, economics, and education.
No. 46Roma Tre University
Modern public Roman university, recognized in economics, law, and architecture.
No. 47Parthenope University of Naples
Public Neapolitan university recognized in economics, engineering, and naval sciences.
No. 48Humanitas University
Private Milanese university dedicated to medicine and biomedical sciences, taught in English.