The United States is a great country for higher education. There are many American universities in Europe that will give you an excellent education along with an unforgettable experience.
We have selected the 22 best American universities in Europe based on their ranking, reputation, and location.
So, are you planning to study at an American university?
Continue reading to discover amazing American universities in Europe to study without having to travel across the Atlantic.
Overview of American Universities in Europe
When it comes to finding the best universities in Europe, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
The first thing is what kind of degree do you want?
Some schools offer degrees in English, and some don’t. If your goal is to study abroad and earn an American-style degree, then it’s important to know if your program offers an English degree or not.
If you’re looking for an English-language university that also offers programs taught in another language than English, this guide will help you find one.
List of Top American Universities in Europe
Without further ado, let us discover the best American universities in Europe. This list will cover the top schools from France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, Austria, etc.
Let’s dive in.
Methodology of Selecting the Best American Universities in Europe
In order to select the best American universities in Europe, we mostly considered the following factors:
- Education Quality,
- The reputation of the university,
- The reputation of faculty members,
- Location, and
- Student body
The Harlaxton College University of Evansville in Grantham, England
Evansville University (Harlaxton College) is a private liberal arts university located in Grantham, England, originally originating from the United States. It has a student body of over 6,000 students from more than 47 countries.
Harlaxton is built as a manor-styled, imposing college campus that dates back to the 90s. The school is a well-decorated one, and in our opinion, it ranks as one of the best American universities in Europe.
The school is an academic leader with comprehensive programs in mostly language (including British Studies), and media disciplines. Furthermore, Harlaxton still offers degree programs in professional courses like Public Health, Biochemistry, Architecture, Applied Engineering courses, and Social sciences, to mention a few.
The school is notoriously known for having a very supportive alumni network that comprises 91 percent of graduate students who have either been employed after six months of leaving Harlaxton or gained admission to a graduate school.
Harlaxton is consistently rated as one of the 10 best-value schools in the UK to study abroad; so it should be no surprise that they are top of this list of American universities in Europe.
The university offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors as well as pre-professional programs for students who want to pursue careers in law or medicine. Graduate studies are also available at both the masters and doctoral levels.
The American University of Paris in Paris, France
The American University of Paris (AUP) is a private, independent university in Paris, France. It was founded in 1961 by the American University of Paris Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in New York City.
The AUP opened its doors to students on April 27, 1962, and today, it has more than 1900 students from nearly 100 countries across all continents.
The AUP is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the British Council.
AUP is mostly a liberal arts university; meaning that, just like Harlaxton, it majorly offers programs related to certain contemporary art forms – like Art History, Creative Writing, and Fashion Studies – but over the years, the school has evolved, and become a top destination for applied and natural science disciplines like Statistics, Mathematics, Psychology, Social Anthropology, and even Computer Science.
Overall, AUP has a rich catalog of 67 undergraduate programs to select from, including 27 majors. And it promises to get better in years to come. So, are you still unsure about studying at American universities in Europe? AUP should make you rest easy.
American University Center of Provence in Provence, France
American University Center of Provence was founded in 1979 and is located in Provence, France. It provides academic programs in business, law, and liberal arts to students from over 40 countries.
AUCP is one of the elite American universities in Europe known for its vibrant community and rigorous education system.
The university’s faculty includes professors who teach at universities in the United States as well as France, Germany, and other countries. These professors often take sabbaticals at AUCP so that they can teach around the world while still being close to home.
The main campus is located in Aix-en-Provence; but there are also campuses located in Avignon and Marseille for students who would prefer those locations instead.
The American International University of London in Richmond Hill & Kensington, England
The American International University of London is a private university located in Richmond Hill and Kensington, England. The university has a student population of around 600.
A majority of these students are from the United States, although there are also many international students from other countries studying at the university.
The American International University of London has an excellent reputation for providing high-quality education and training to its students. The institution has been rated as one of “The 50 Best Universities in Europe” by Times Higher Education (THE).
It has also been ranked as one of THE’s top universities outside the UK for three consecutive years since 2014/15 and is consistently featured among top 100 universities globally by QS World Rankings annually since 2015/16.
If you’re looking for one of the best American universities in Europe to study in, then you are looking at it.
Bard College Berlin in Berlin, Germany
Bard College Berlin is a German-American liberal arts college in Berlin, Germany. Arguably one of the newer American universities in Europe, Bard College Berlin was founded in 1999 as the European College of Liberal Arts and merged in 2011 with the Bard College of New York, US.
At Bard, students can choose from three majors: social sciences; humanities; or arts, generally. Afterward, students will earn an internationally recognized Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.
The school also has a music department that offers classes in orchestral instruments like the piano, violin, and cello as well as voice lessons for singers who want to perfect their technique.
Students who want to pursue an academic focus can choose from courses such as “Theories of Communication” and “Psychology,” while those who chose the creative arts will have options such as “Survey of World Art,” for example.
Franklin University Switzerland in Lugano, Switzerland
Franklin University Switzerland is an American university in Switzerland. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Lugano, Switzerland.
Franklin University Switzerland is a private university that is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, a member of the Association of American Universities, and has been recognized as one of the top ten best American universities in Europe by The Princeton Review three times.
The American College of Greece in Athens, Greece
The American College of Greece is located in Athens, Greece, and it was founded in 1875. The college offers undergraduate degrees in English language and literature, international relations, history and philosophy, business administration, and political science.
The graduate programs include business administration (MBA), international relations (MAIR), and political science (MA).
Anglo-American University in Prague, Czech Republic
Anglo-American University in Prague, Czech Republic is a private university located in the center of the city. The university was established by American and British professors who wanted to offer students an international education close to home.
Anglo-American University is accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education and is a member of both the International Association of Universities (IAU) and the European Council for Business Education (ECBE). The student body consists of over 3,000 students from more than 70 countries around the world.
American College of Thessaloniki in Thessaloniki, Greece
The American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) is a private, non-profit and non-sectarian college founded in 1886. It is an official, independent, degree-granting institution with a huge alumni network that has gone on to do well for itself. Aside from its main campus in Thessaloniki, Greece, ACT also has campuses in Athens and Patras.
ACT’s mission is to support a diverse student body through rigorous academics while preparing them for active participation in society through study abroad opportunities.
The college offers undergraduate programs as well as master’s degree programs (MBA and MA) for students who wish to further their education after completing their undergraduate studies.
American College of Dublin in Dublin, Ireland
American College of Dublin (ACD) is an accredited, not-for-profit private institution. Today, ACD offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including business administration; criminal justice studies; mathematics; computer science; finance, accounting and risk management; nursing; psychology; humanities and social sciences.
ACD also boasts a significant student body made up of more than 9,000 international students (about 23 percent of its student population), along with some Americans who study abroad or are studying English at ACD’s summer school program.
At 10,000 euros, ACD is one of the cheaper options for American universities in Europe to study; however, the school’s limited catalog for in-demand professional courses like Medicine may be discouraging, like most other universities in this bracket.
The University is consistently ranked as one of the best American universities in Europe. In addition to this high level of academic quality, ACD was also ranked as one of the American universities abroad with a high student satisfaction rate—a testament to its excellent facilities and services offered on campus.
John Cabot University in Rome, Italy
John Cabot University Rome is a four-year, liberal arts private university in Rome, Italy. It was founded in 1972 and has been one of the most popular American universities in Europe, most notably for its business degree.
It has three campuses: the original one in Trastevere in central Rome: the Frank J. Guarini Campus for those interested in an MBA program, the Tiber Campus, and the Caroline Critelli Guarini Campus on the banks of the Tiber River.
The program majors offered at JCU-Rome include:
John Cabot University makes a great choice for anyone seeking an education system deeply rooted in the American style.
The American University of Rome, Italy
The American University of Rome (AUR) is a private university located in Rome, Italy.
It was founded in 1969 in Rome to provide higher education opportunities to Americans living abroad.
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in the fields of arts, business, engineering, health, and education.
As an accredited institution by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), AUR has over 1,500 students from more than 50 countries studying at its campus located near Via Ostiense.
The university’s academic programs include interdisciplinary studies which allow students to combine two or three distinct majors under a single degree program or minor.
You can also opt for some double degrees through partnerships with universities across Europe such as the University of Copenhagen, or the Central European University.
Hult International Business School in Cambridge & London, England
Hult International Business School is a global business school with campuses in New York, London, San Francisco, Dubai, and Shanghai.
It’s one of the fastest growing schools in the world that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs including MBAs, MScs, and dual degree programs.
In addition to excellent teaching quality and a diversity-driven culture that fosters international perspectives – Hult ranks 4th overall for career preparation out of over 1000 universities worldwide according to Forbes.
Hult Business School also organizes a global ideation competition called Hult Prize for business aspirants.
This is one of the many ways the top-tier school prepares students for successful business careers.
McDaniel College Budapest in Budapest, Hungary
Alas! Our first school in Hungary in our list of American universities in Europe! Located in the heart of Europe, McDaniel College Budapest is an American-Hungarian private university in Budapest, Hungary, accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and a member of the European University Association.
The university offers undergraduate and graduates degrees in several majors including:
- Psychology;
- Business Administration & Economics;
- Political Science & International Studies;
- Art History & Studio Art; and
- Communication.
McDaniel is one of the popular destinations to study business in Hungary.
Paris College of Art in Paris, France
Paris College of Art is a private university with over 1,400 students.
The school has a strong focus on art and design, as well as business and management. It is located in the 13th arrondissement in Paris, France.
Paris College of Art has many partnerships with American universities such as Columbia University and Harvard University to offer dual degree programs.
Students can also study abroad at one of these partner universities through Paris College of Art’s exchange program or participate in internship opportunities there as well.
PCA is a great choice to study various forms of art expression, including visual, contemporary, or studio art. And what better place to study arts than in France?
Parsons Paris, The New School in Paris, France
Parsons Paris is a graduate school of art, design, and creative technologies that’s part of The New School in New York City.
It offers a variety of programs in art and design, business, and liberal arts. The institution is located in Paris, France.
In addition to its degree-granting activities at PSD/Parsons Paris campuses around the world (New York City, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Dubai); the institution has several satellite locations including Florence International Graduate Center (IGC), where students can earn master’s degrees in education studies or fine arts through an intensive one-year program designed specifically for international students interested in pursuing careers as teachers abroad.
Saint Louis University in Madrid, Spain
The campus of Saint Louis University in Spain sits on a hilltop overlooking the city of Madrid. Saint Louis University is a private research university with over 8,000 undergraduate students and 4,000 graduate students from 40 countries.
The school has campuses all over the world including ones located in Missouri and Washington DC as well as locations in Madrid and Paris.
Saint Louis University has a huge category of undergraduate majors, including Art History, Communication, Marketing, International Business, and Psychology, to name a few.
Furthermore, SLU-Madrid also offers comprehensive online programs; their affiliation with the Saint Louis campus in the United States also means that students may have the privilege of transferring to their main campus location. SLU-Madrid is one of the best American universities in Europe offering art.
Schiller International University in Madrid, Spain
Schiller International University in Madrid is a private, non-profit institution of higher education founded in 1964. With its headquarters located in Tampa, Florida (USA), the university has three other campuses: one in Madrid (Spain), another in Heidelberg (Germany), and the other in Paris (France).
SIU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students from all over the world who are interested in studying at a top-tier institution.
The school empowers individuals through educational opportunities so they may reach their full potential. This is why they offer highly-rated majors in Business, Marketing, Mathematics, Computer Science, and STEM courses like Data Analytics.
Past students have reviewed Schiller as the ideal modern American university that is truly dedicated to its students’ success, in and out of the school.
Webster University Geneva in Geneva, Switzerland
Located in the heart of Switzerland, Webster University Geneva is an international university that offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The school also has campuses in Lausanne and Zurich, which house additional programs as well as student services offices.
Webster University is accredited by the WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), along with other accreditors such as AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business).
WUG offers majors, minors, and certificate programs in disciplines like Business, International Studies, Computer Science, Marketing, Finance, Psychology, Data Analytics, and more – all taught in English.
The university’s mission centers around providing a global perspective through classroom instruction and experiential learning opportunities in Europe, the Asia Pacific region, and North America.
Webster University Leiden in Leiden, The Netherlands
Webster University Leiden is a private university in the Netherlands.
It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of fields, including business administration, communication arts, journalism and media management, public relations and advertising, hospitality management, and tourism management.
Webster Vienna Private University in Vienna, Austria
Webster Vienna Private University is a private university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded in 1981 and offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. The school is accredited by the Austrian Accreditation Agency (AAI), which ensures that Webster Vienna has met certain standards for quality education.
Webster Vienna has five campuses around the world: three in Austria, one in Germany, and one in Switzerland.
The American University of Armenia in Yerevan, Armenia
The American University of Armenia offers degrees in a variety of disciplines, including law and economics.
The university was founded in 1991, which makes it one of the youngest universities on our list of American universities in Europe. It has two campuses: one in Yerevan and another one in Vanadzo.
The University’s faculty includes many prominent scholars who are also involved in research projects at various universities around the world.
The institution’s reputation is reflected by its active participation in international conferences held outside Armenia as well as its scientific publications that appear both domestically and internationally.
Popular FAQs About American Universities in Europe
Is Studying in Europe a Good Choice?
Yes. Studying in Europe is a great choice. If you’re looking for an enriching experience that will help you grow as a person, then studying abroad might be a good idea.
It even comes with a few advantages:
- Learning about another culture can be an eye-opening experience and can teach you more about yourself than you ever thought possible.
- Learning a foreign language is always useful—if nothing else, it’ll come in handy when traveling or interacting with locals.
For instance, studying at an American university in Switzerland (like Webster University Geneva) gives you the opportunity to learn three widely spoken global languages – German, French, Italian – and Romansh.
- Learning about different academic systems can give you insight into how other countries approach education, which may help inform the way that you think about learning when it comes time to choose your major or career path.
The American education system is notoriously known for its small class sizes, personalized teaching style, and the ‘self-taught’ pattern where it is normal for students to conduct research papers or work as research-based graduate assistants.
Can I Study Medicine at American Universities in Europe?
From our research, most American universities in Europe offer arts, marketing, STEM, and business programs. Only 1 in 10 American universities in Europe offer majors in professional courses like Engineering; which is incredibly rare.
However, there are no American universities in Europe that offer a program in Medicine; but some of these schools offer highly-rated options in the healthcare industry, like Public Health.
What to Consider Before Selecting an American University in Europe
Before you choose an American university in Europe, there are several things to consider.
- How far away the university is from home?
If you’re interested in studying abroad, you probably have a pretty good idea of how far away your home city or town is from potential universities.
- What the cost of living is like at each school and city/country where one might study abroad?
This includes rent rates but also entertainment costs like going out drinking with friends regularly, eating out frequently, shopping sprees, etc.
Final Thoughts
So, we’ve given you the best American universities in Europe. What do you think? Are these places for you? Is there another college that should have been on our list that we missed? We’d love to hear from you.
Wrapping It Up
So, if you’ve been thinking about taking your education abroad, there couldn’t be a better time than now.
We hope this list of the best American universities in Europe has given you some inspiration and helped guide your search.
As always, we wish you the very best of luck on your journey through life.