College Insights - Università Bocconi / Bocconi University

The Bocconi is a world-class, private university in Milan, Italy that focuses on economics, management, and law. Just under half, 44%, of its 8,000 undergraduates are enrolled in its eight English-language programs:

• International Economics and Management

• International Economics and Finance

• Economics and Management for Arts, Culture and Communication

• Economic and Social Sciences

• Economics, Management and Computer Science

• Mathematical and Computing Sciences for Artificial Intelligence

• International Politics and Government

• World Bachelor in Business—a four-year program in conjunction with USC’s Marshall School of Business in Los Angeles and HKUST the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

The faculty and facilities are indeed impressive. The executive education center buildings are world-class.

All work and no exercise make for sluggish students. The campus gym is impressive.

There is limited housing available in the seven residence halls. (More are being built.) All rooms are furnished with a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe and are equipped with WiFi. Blankets, sheets, pillowcases, and towels are provided. Linens are changed and rooms are cleaned once a week! These aren’t like the dorms that I lived in!

Pros	Cons
The cost of tuition, as compared to US or some Canadian schools, is especially enticing: €16,500 for 2024-2025. Estimate about another €20k for housing, board, airfare and local transportation, and personal expenses (health insurance, books and supplies, etc.). The COA (cost of attendance) is about €36,500. Considering that a BSc is earned in just three years, the savings can be impactful compared to, say, an American diploma. Do keep in mind, however, that many, if not most, students stay to complete a two-year master’s degree, which means five years of fees and expenses. Merit and other scholarships are available. US students may use guaranteed federal student loans to help fund their education. (Remember to complete the FAFSA every year to be eligible for those loans.)	Compared to most European schools the Bocconi carries a hefty price tag. The BSc is just a three-year program so the pace is quick.
The Bocconi has a strong international reputation and draws students from around the world. About 23% of students are international and, of those 66% come from Europe, 18% from Asia and Oceania, 14% from The Americas, and 2% from Africa.	The school is still very heavily Italian—67%. This of course can be a real plus, but if you’re looking for a more diverse student body, this might not be a good fit for you.
Students say that the workload can be incredibly intense. The Bocconi, therefore would be a terrific college option for serious students who know what they want to do, but also have enough of a sense of adventure to move to another country and to learn a new language and culture.	This is not for the student who wants to come to Italy to live La Dolce Vita. Kids here work hard, very hard. Milano is the business capital of Italy and has the reputation of having a strong work ethic and maybe a bit dull compared to other Italian cities.

Application Tips

• Use the Bocconi application.

• Entrance requirements are high and include required testing (SATs, ACTs, or Bocconi’s proprietary exam) for the English-language programs. The average SAT score of an accepted student was 1457. (Too few students submit ACT scores to give an accurate average score.) The word on the street: Take the SATs not the Bocconi exam!

• The Bocconi is making a move to be more impactful in the Global South, so students from the Southern Hemisphere are especially encouraged to apply—this includes students living in Switzerland with a passport from the Global South.

To learn how The Application Coach can help you determine if studying business, law, or economics at the Bocconi would be a good move for you,

schedule a free 30-minute Discovery Call.