The American University of Rome

The American University of Rome was founded in 1969 and is one of the older American institutions in Europe, teaching a liberal arts curriculum entirely in English. It sits in the same city as John Cabot University, and the two should be compared directly rather than considered separately. John Cabot is larger at around 1,800 students from over 80 countries, describes itself as Italy's largest American university, holds AACSB accreditation for its business school, and has built particular depth in art history, classics, political science and international business over five decades. The American University of Rome is smaller, which generally means more personal teaching and a closer community but a narrower programme range and a smaller alumni network. Both offer an American degree in English in Rome on an Italian student visa, so the choice turns on programme fit, scale and the funding each offers rather than on structure. Neither should be assumed to be the obvious one.