Bocconi University vs Polytechnic University of Milan

Bocconi UniversityPolytechnic University of Milan
WhereMilan, ItalyMilan, Italy
TypePrivate NonprofitPublic
Next deadline29 Sep 2026, Fall 2027Not listed
International tuition€17,000 to €18,550 per year€157.04 to €3,943.04 per year
IELTSNot listed6
TOEFLNot listed78
Acceptance rateNot publishedNot published
Application fee€100Not listed
Founded19021863
Verified7 Sep 20267 Sep 2026

Our read

These two Milan universities show how differently Italy can price a degree. Bocconi is private and charges a flat first year of EUR 17,000 for its bachelor and law programmes and EUR 18,550 for master's, adjusted for inflation across the degree. The Polytechnic University of Milan is public and assesses tuition against family income through the ISEE, so a non EU student with an assessed income up to EUR 22,000 pays only the fixed instalment of EUR 157.04 a year, rising on a scale to EUR 3,943.04 at the top. The gap between them is therefore not a few thousand euro, it can be the difference between a few hundred and nearly twenty thousand a year, and it depends on paperwork about income rather than on the course. Bocconi teaches economics, management, finance, law and data science; the Polytechnic teaches engineering, architecture and design. The Polytechnic asks IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 78 and waives the test for an applicant whose bachelor's degree was taught in English for at least three years. Bocconi asks for B2 through any of several tests without naming one score. Bocconi's early round for autumn 2027 closes on 29 September 2026.

Sources, checked 7 September 2026
  1. https://www.unibocconi.it/en/applying-bocconi/bachelor-and-law-programs/fees
  2. https://www.unibocconi.it/en/applying-bocconi/bachelor-and-law-programs/application-and-admissions/admissions
  3. https://www.unibocconi.it/en/applying-bocconi/master-science-and-ma-programs/fees
  4. https://www.unibocconi.it/en/applying-bocconi/master-science-and-ma-programs/application-and-admissions/admissions
  5. https://www.unibocconi.it/en/undergraduate-programs-english-requirements
  6. https://www.polimi.it/en/prospective-students/how-to-apply/admission-to-laurea-magistrale/foreign-qualification/requirements
  7. https://www.polimi.it/en/prospective-students/how-much-does-it-cost/laurea-laurea-magistrale-and-single-cycle-programmes
  8. https://www.polimi.it/en/prospective-students/how-to-apply/admission-to-laurea-magistrale/foreign-qualification/deadlines
  9. https://www.polimi.it/en/students/language-requirements/students-of-laurea-magistrale-study-programmes