John Cabot University Rome: a guide for international students
John Cabot University (JCU) is a private American university with a single campus in Rome, in the heart of Trastevere. Undergraduate degrees and a Master's in Art History taught entirely in English, with the AACSB-accredited Guarini School of Business.
About John Cabot University
John Cabot University (JCU) is a private American university with a single campus in Rome, in the heart of the Trastevere district. It offers undergraduate degrees and a Master's in Art History, entirely in English, following the US liberal arts model, alongside numerous study abroad programs for visiting students from American and international colleges.
The university has several campuses and residence halls concentrated in the Trastevere area, a short walk from the Tiber and the city's main landmarks. JCU welcomes over 1,800 students each year from more than 80 countries, with small class sizes that foster direct contact with faculty.
The Guarini School of Business, one of the university's academic units, is AACSB accredited, a recognition reserved for a minority of business schools worldwide. The institution is also accredited by the US Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Thanks to its location in the capital, students have privileged access to internships at international organizations, embassies and multinational companies based in Rome.
Main academic areas
Bachelor's programs, US-accredited · 15 programs in total (14 undergraduate + 1 Master's in Art History), over 21 minors
JCU statistics and indicators
JCU's history
John Cabot University was founded in 1972 within the premises of Pro Deo University, today's Luiss Guido Carli University. The university's name honors the Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto (known in English as John Cabot), whose 1497 voyage contributed to the European exploration of North America. In its early years, the academic offer was concentrated mainly on Business Administration, with the option of earning an Associate of Arts.
Between 1985 and 1991 the university expanded its catalog with new courses in Art History, International Affairs and English Literature. During this period JCU was academically affiliated with Hiram College in Ohio. In 1991 it became an independent university under its current name, obtaining official accreditation in 2003. The university library was expanded and named, in 1999, after benefactors Paul and Maxine Frohring.
In 2017 the first Master's program in Art History was launched. Over the past decades, JCU has established itself as one of the leading points of reference for American higher education in Italy, with steady growth in the number of international students.
What people say online about John Cabot University (JCU)
Online reviews of JCU are generally positive, with a strong score on iAgora and a solid reputation for professional networking, alongside some recurring organizational criticism.
Over 300 reviews: international environment, small classes, quality of professors and the Trastevere location.
Strong scores on student life and housing.
76% of staff would recommend JCU as an employer; room for improvement on internal career growth.
- International environment and Trastevere location
- Small classes and quality professors
- Professional networking, widely documented (770+ partner companies)
- Overall quality of teaching
- Well-rated student life and housing
- Organizational issues, particularly during orientation week
- Additional costs not always clearly communicated
- Perceived divide between full-time and study abroad students
- Perceived quality varies by program (e.g. Psychology)
- Room for improvement on internal staff career growth
FAQ — John Cabot University (JCU)
JCU represents one of the most established gateways to American higher education in Rome, with a strong emphasis on professional networking thanks to its network of over 770 partner companies in the capital.
