AUR Rome: programs, admissions and costs for students
The American University of Rome (AUR) is the oldest American university operating in the Italian capital, set on the Janiculum hill. Fully English-taught liberal arts programs, small class sizes and a strong focus on internships and experiential learning.
About The American University of Rome
The American University of Rome (AUR) is a private US university with a single campus in Rome, set on the Janiculum hill in the Monteverde district, a short walk from Trastevere and the historic center. It is the oldest American university operating in the Italian capital.
AUR offers undergraduate and graduate programs entirely taught in English, following the US liberal arts model, in fields such as International Affairs, Business Administration, Art History, Italian Studies, Archaeology and Fine Arts. The campus, made up of several renovated historic buildings, hosts a multicultural student body from over 60 nationalities, with small class sizes and a very favorable student-to-faculty ratio.
The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and authorized by the Italian Ministry of Education as a foreign higher education institution, with degrees also recognized within the Italian university system. Rome itself is used as an open-air classroom, with a strong emphasis on internships, experiential learning and study-abroad programs to other countries.
Main academic areas
Bachelor's and Master's programs, US-accredited · 14 programs in total (11 Bachelor's + 3 Master's, plus 2 Associate degrees)
AUR statistics and indicators
AUR's history
AUR was founded in 1969 by American journalist David Colin, who during and after World War II had fostered cultural exchanges between American and Italian students and faculty in Rome. Together with his wife Joan Carpenter, Colin turned informal gatherings into structured lessons, giving rise to a true university. A decisive contribution also came from George Tesoro, an Italian who emigrated to the United States in 1940 in protest against the fascist regime, and who helped found the institution.
In 1992 the institute obtained its first accreditation from the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools, laying the groundwork for the later Middle States recognition. After operating from various locations in central Rome for about 25 years, in 1993 AUR moved to its current campus on the Janiculum, once a Barnabite monastery, then a radio station and recording studio.
In 2018 the campus was expanded with new art and exhibition spaces on Via Angelo Masina, adjacent to the American Academy in Rome. Today, over 50 years after its founding, AUR continues to grow, also offering a Graduate School with Master's programs in Sustainable Cultural Heritage, Food Studies and Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution.
What people say online about The American University of Rome (AUR)
Opinions on AUR gathered from the main review platforms are polarized: highly praised for the international life experience in Rome and the internship program, with some criticism around perceived academic rigor and housing cost/quality.
International atmosphere, scenic Janiculum location and approachable professors among the most praised aspects.
Favorable reviews especially from study-abroad exchange students: small classes and campus life.
Positive ratings for staff and personalized support, including for students with disabilities.
72% of staff would recommend working there; strengths in company culture, weaknesses on pay.
- International atmosphere and scenic Janiculum location
- Small classes and highly approachable professors
- Personalized support, including for students with disabilities
- Highly developed internship program (75%+ of students)
- Close-knit, family-like campus feel
- Academic rigor perceived as moderate for full-time students
- No traditional dormitories: off-campus housing required
- Variable apartment cost and quality (some reports of mold)
- Limited social life in some residential areas
- Room for improvement on staff pay and internal career growth
FAQ — The American University of Rome (AUR)
For a US or international student, AUR represents a bridge between the American liberal arts system and full immersion in Roman life, combining US-recognized degrees with a deeply Italian everyday experience.
Ti potrebbero interessare:
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.