How Milan's Universities Became Europe's Most Expensive: The Decade That Changed Everything

A decade ago, enrolling at Università degli Studi di Milano or the Politecnico felt genuinely accessible to middle-class families across Lombardy. Today, tuition fees have nearly tripled, regional subsidies have evaporated, and Milan's universities rank among Europe's priciest. Understanding how we arrived at this inflection point requires examining the structural pressures that reshaped the sector between 2016 and 2026.

The turning point arrived gradually. When the Italian government reduced university funding allocations in 2017, Milan's institutions faced a choice: cut programmes or increase student contributions. The Politecnico's campus expansion along Via Golgi—involving €200 million in infrastructure upgrades to remain globally competitive—accelerated this decision. By 2020, annual fees at the Politecnico had climbed to €6,000 for Italian citizens, nearly double the 2015 rate. Università degli Studi followed suit, though slightly more modestly, pushing fees toward €4,500.

The pandemic paradoxically intensified these trends. Forced digital transformation required substantial technological investment across all campuses, from the Città Studi complex in the Lambrate neighbourhood to satellite facilities in Lodi and Como. When enrollment briefly dipped in 2021, fixed costs were distributed across fewer students, necessitating further fee increases. Recovery came quickly, but the pricing structure remained elevated.

International competition played a crucial role. Universities ranked Milan's institutions against peer institutions in London, Berlin, and Barcelona—cities offering comparable research prestige at lower cost. To maintain rankings and attract global talent, Milan's universities invested heavily in English-language programmes, faculty recruitment, and research infrastructure. These initiatives, while strategically sound, required revenue streams that domestic students ultimately subsidised.

Real estate pressures compounded the issue. Property values in central Milan's university corridors—particularly around Brera and near the San Raffaele campus—increased substantially. Dormitory construction became prohibitively expensive, forcing universities to partner with private housing developers. This pushed student accommodation costs above €600 monthly for modest rooms, adding significantly to overall educational expenses.

The cumulative effect has been stark. A five-year degree programme at the Politecnico now costs approximately €30,000 in tuition alone—comparable to mid-tier private universities in Britain. Combined with Milan's elevated living costs, accessing higher education increasingly requires parental financial support or substantial student debt, reshaping the social profile of Milan's universities.

As regional authorities signal potential increased investment for 2026-2027, the question remains whether reversing this trajectory is feasible, or whether Milan's universities have permanently shifted toward a fee-dependent model.

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