The Top 10 American Universities in Europe
American universities are a great way to study abroad and experience a new environment, all while earning dual accreditation and maintaining some familiarity. Here are the top 10 American universities in Europe!
Studying abroad in Europe allows you to widen your perspective by experiencing cultural immersion and seeing new countries in a continent famed for its art, architecture, and influential history. The best part is that you can do this while progressing in your academic career.
Where you study is a big part of this experience and there are countless respected European universities to choose from. However, some students would still benefit from some familiarity while studying abroad. That’s where American universities abroad come in.
Keep reading to learn more about some of the best American universities in Europe including cost, popular subjects, and what they offer. Study for a summer, semester, or complete your entire degree abroad!
Benefits of attending an American University in Europe
Studying abroad in Europe is a fantastic opportunity for international students, however, it can still be a daunting process. Studying somewhere that has an entirely different culture and language can leave you feeling as if you’re diving into the unknown.
🙋Familiarity: Classes at American universities are taught entirely in English, so you can give yourself time to pick up the language while adjusting to a new country and culture. You’ll be more familiar with the American curriculum and can select from a wide range of general education and elective classes in addition to your major.
💲Financial aid: There are also some logistical advantages to attending an American university in Europe. If you qualify for financial aid in the US, you may use this towards your tuition at an American university abroad.
🧑🎓Transferrable credits: College credits from an American university are more likely to be transferable should you continue your education elsewhere.
📜Dual accreditation: Studying at an American university in Europe is a great way to earn dual accreditation which means that your degree is accredited in the US and also where you study, doubling your career opportunities.
1. University of Evansville
Best for cultural British experience
📍 Location: Grantham, England
💰 Cost per semester through direct enrollment: $21,400
📚 Popular subjects: British studies, civil engineering, biology, drama & theatre, literature
🌐 Number of international students: 2,000
With over 50 years of study abroad and intercultural learning experience, the University of Evansville provides a comprehensive British experience where students will study and live in a Victorian manor house. If you study at Harlaxton College - part of the University of Evansville - in Grantham, England, you can learn about British history through a required British studies course, enhancing cultural immersion and awareness.
Students can study here during the fall or spring semesters (or both), or over the summer with a short-term 5-week study program. You’ll have plenty of chances to travel through the UK and the world with faculty-led programs available in China, the Caribbean, and more. In-country excursions facilitated by the school also maximize student integration and sightseeing opportunities.
2. The American University of Paris
Best for politics and international relations
📍 Location: Paris, France
💰 Cost per semester through direct enrollment: $19,000
📚 Popular subjects: French language, political science, law, philosophy, economics, film, maths, computer science
🌐 Number of international students: 1,000+
If practicing your French while you stroll by the Eiffel Tower sounds like a dream come true, then The American University of Paris (AUP) might be the place for you. Created as a liberal arts college, AUP has over 60 years of experience hosting international students of over 100 nationalities in the artistic and cultural capital of France.
Paris offers the perfect blend of French immersion in a cosmopolitan city where a significant portion of Parisians can speak English at a conversational level.
AUP is known for its emphasis on interdisciplinary and cross-cultural studies and has a great reputation for its subjects - particularly political science, law, philosophy, and economics. When students aren’t studying, they can immerse themselves in a city known for its political, cultural, and economic significance in Europe.
3. American University Center of Provence
Best for French language immersion
📍 Location: Provence, France
💰 Cost per semester through direct enrollment: $11,785
📚 Popular subjects: French language
🌐 Number of international students: 1,600
If you’re interested in studying somewhere less international than Paris, the American University Center of Provence (AUCP) may be a more authentic option. Studying in the Provence region offers greater cultural and language immersion as well as lower living costs and tuition fees when compared to studying in Paris.
French language students can study intensive French immersion programs in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille. Unlike the American University of Paris, students will experience total immersion in all French classes and can choose to stay with a French host family. Many participants leave this program feeling like they’ve achieved native-level proficiency due to the level of cultural and language immersion that they experience.
4. Richmond American University London
Best for internship opportunities
📍 Location: London, England
💰 Cost per semester through direct enrollment: $7,600
📚 Popular subjects: Business, law, management, marketing, biology, psychology
🌐 Number of international students: 1,000
London has endless sights and bustling activities to choose from, and the Richmond American University London offers you the chance to live and receive a dual accredited degree in this global business center. This university is the first and only to award these dual UK-US degrees.
Education here will open up even more doors for employment, especially if you decide to continue living abroad after graduation. The university also offers internships as a part of undergraduate and master’s degrees, as well as opportunities in countries around the world through its partnership exchange program.
5. Franklin University Switzerland
Best for cross-cultural and multinational learning
📍 Location: Lugano, Switzerland
💰 Cost per semester through direct enrollment: $24,250
📚 Popular subjects: International relations, business, environmental studies, economics, art
🌐 Number of international students: 400
If a smaller liberal arts college sounds appealing to you, then you may want to take a look at Franklin University Switzerland in the quaint city of Lugano, Switzerland. This university seeks to create a cross-cultural and multinational learning and living environment for domestic and international students alike.
Accredited both in the US and in Switzerland, Franklin is also the only university in Switzerland where you can receive an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree. The dual accreditation and international validity open opportunities both in the US and Switzerland. Outside of pursuing dual-accredited degrees, students can enjoy Switzerland’s delights from the colossal Swiss Alps to its enchanting cobblestone streets.
6. The American College of Greece
Best for history & heritage
📍 Location: Athens, Greece
💰 Cost per semester through direct enrollment: $6,410
📚 Popular subjects: Business, fine arts, humanities, social sciences, communication, environmental studies
🌐 Number of international students: 3,500
The American College of Greece is the oldest accredited American university in Europe and the largest private university in Greece. The college offers over a thousand courses between the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, and the Frances Rich School of Fine and Performing Arts.
Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, students will study on an American-style campus adjacent to the Athenian hillside. Students can immerse themselves in Greek culture and a diverse student community, with over 3,000 international students studying at the college.
Along with a rigorous academic program, students can spend their free time navigating the ancient city of Athens which encapsulates its past historical significance. Full-time students earning their degrees at ACG have the opportunity to study at partner institutions around the world.
7. John Cabot University
Best for student-to-teacher ratio
📍 Location: Rome, Italy
💰 Cost per semester through direct enrollment: $7,333
📚 Popular subjects: Business, Italian language, history
🌐 Number of international students: 1,000
Whether you’re looking to perfect your Italian, delight in unrivaled pizza and pasta, or relish a city rooted in history, studying at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy will allow you to experience all of this and more.
Located in the heart of Rome, John Cabot’s campus facilities are nestled among historical monuments and attractions. The university emphasizes small class sizes that foster a more personalized educational experience and greater opportunities to get to know your classmates.
The university also goes to great lengths to ease the transition for international students, offering a comprehensive orientation service, airport pick-up, diverse housing options, and a variety of trips and activities.
“As a freshman at John Cabot University in Rome, my experience has been nothing short of transformative. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I was immersed in a vibrant international community that embraced diversity and fostered intellectual curiosity.” - Deborah, John Cabot alumni
8. American College of Thessaloniki
Best for varied lifestyle
📍 Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
💰 Cost per semester through direct enrollment: $13,192
📚 Popular subjects: Biology, history, political science, computer science, aviation management
🌐 Number of international students: 1,250
While Athens is Greece’s teeming capital, Thessaloniki is its more compact counterpart that offers idyllic seascapes and diverse history through Greek, Roman, and Ottoman heritage.
The incredible city of Thessaloniki is home to the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT), a school with an astounding 45-acre campus. Half of the student body at ACT is made up of international students from over 30 different countries. These students follow advanced programs accredited both in the US and with The Open University in the UK.
Student life at the ACT features opportunities to get involved in the school and the community through workshops, clubs, field trips, volunteer opportunities, and more. While students spend their weekdays following a top academic program, their weekends consist of visiting archeological museums, traversing the waterfront, and hiking Mount Olympus with new friends.
9. The American University of Rome
Best for out-of-class excursions
📍 Location: Rome, Italy
💰 Cost per semester through direct enrollment: $13,700
📚 Popular subjects: Italian language, archeology, art history, business administration, communication, film and digital media
🌐 Number of international students: 750
Another wonderful option in Rome is the American University of Rome (AUR) - the oldest US-accredited institution in this cradle of Western civilization. Sitting on a hill overlooking the city, you’ll spend your days receiving a world-class liberal arts education that extends beyond the classroom walls.
Professors at AUR, many of whom are award-winning scholars, complement their lectures with on-site visits to historic locations. Learn about history, culture, and art while visiting the places you’ve only seen on postcards and brochures.
10. Lorenzo de’ Medici
Best for art and food enthusiasts
📍 Location: Florence, Italy
💰 Cost per semester through direct enrollment: $9580
📚 Popular subjects: Art & art history,architecture, fashion, media & communications,
🌐 Number of international students: 3,000
Florence - the birthplace of the Renaissance - is a cultural haven for travelers and international students. Attending the Lorenzo de’ Medici University means experiencing Tuscany while gaining an education at one of Italy’s most established institutions with over 50 years in international higher education.
In addition to appreciating the art, gastronomy, architecture, and other elements that make Florence an enchanting location, students can choose between 500+ courses in 36 departments. The university offers flexibility in abundance, as international students can study through winter or summer programs, a single semester, or even four-year degree-granting programs.
“Studying abroad in the heart of Florence was the chance of a lifetime and was one of the best experiences of my life thus far. Everything from the cuisine to the social scene was amazing and something that I had never imagined.” Angela, Lorenzo de’ Medici alumni
How can I study abroad in Europe?
There are several steps that you need to take to study abroad in Europe.
- Research locations and universities: Going to “Europe” can mean anything, from the snowy Swiss Alps to the Greek islands. Europe is a big continent, so it’s important to narrow down what you want from your study-abroad location. Choose a few countries that appeal to you, and begin looking for universities from there.
- Choose a program: You should choose a program that suits your goals and piques your interests. You’ll also need to decide between studying through a third-party provider for a summer, semester, or year or enrolling directly at the university if you want to complete your entire degree abroad.
- Prepare your application: Prepare your application in advance to avoid any obstacles down the line. Ensure that you get a hold of university transcripts, letter(s) of recommendation, personal statements, and other required documents with plenty of time ahead of the application deadline.
- Apply for a visa: Depending on your nationality and desired study abroad length, you may need a student visa to study abroad. Be sure to research the requirements thoroughly.
- Secure housing and book your flight! Once you’ve got your visa, you can begin booking your flights and arranging your accommodation. If your program does not provide accommodation (or assistance), you can contact the university or your study abroad advisor to go through your options. Once you’ve completed these steps, you can let your study abroad dream unfold!
How much does it cost to study at American universities in Europe?
The cost of studying abroad at an American university in Europe depends on many factors. Direct enrollment can vary from $1,500 to $15,000 USD per semester. Applying through a third-party provider can range from $15,000 to $30,000 per USD per semester, which often includes tuition fees, accommodation, and more.
Outside of tuition and program fees, you should consider other factors such as airfare, how often you plan to travel while you’re there, and the time of year. Going on a summer program, for example, may lead to higher costs for airfare, lodging, and activities because it is the peak tourist season.
Pursue your academic goals in Europe!
The prospect of studying abroad in Europe can enrich students academically, professionally, and spiritually. The ability to combine the novelty of international travel in a new country with the support and familiarity of an American university abroad can facilitate a profoundly life-changing experience for students.
Optimize your European study abroad experience:
