Bologna, July 14, 2026 — The University of Bologna confirms itself among the excellences of the Italian academy. The new ranking compiled by Censis, published today and for over 25 years a reference point for student orientation, sees Alma Mater maintain the second place among the mega universities in Italy, those with over 40,000 enrolled students, with a total score of 87.8, behind only the University of Padua. A result that consolidates the prestige of the Bologna university and fits into an overall positive picture for the university system of Emilia-Romagna, represented by four universities in the national rankings.
The region can indeed count on a university offer distributed throughout the territory and capable of achieving significant results in different categories. While Bologna continues to be the national reference point among the major academic centers, Parma firmly confirms itself among the best universities in its category, while Modena and Reggio Emilia and Ferrara maintain competitive positions, standing out especially for their ability to support graduates in the job market. Below are the results.
Bologna remains in the elite of Italian universities
Among state universities with over 40,000 enrolled students, the ranking changes little compared to last year. Padua retains first place with 91.2 points, while Bologna remains second with 87.8, ahead of Sapienza in Rome (86), Pisa (85.5), Statale of Milan (85.3), and Florence (84.7). This is an important confirmation for Alma Mater, which continues to be one of the most attractive and recognized universities in the country.
The difference is mainly made by some key indicators. Bologna scores 96 points in internationalization, one of the best results in the category, demonstrating the ability to attract foreign students and develop international networks. The employability figure is also very high, with 91 points, a sign that the degree obtained at Alma Mater continues to represent added value in the job market. Positive are also the scores related to facilities (89) and communication and digital services (97), a sector increasingly decisive in the quality perceived by students. More modest, however, are the results on student services (74) and scholarships (80), two areas where other Italian universities perform better.
Parma: among the best universities in its category
Excellent news also comes from the University of Parma, which maintains fourth place among the large state universities, those with an enrollment between 20,000 and 40,000, scoring 88.3 points. Ahead are only Calabria, Pavia, and Cagliari, while the Emilia university precedes important universities such as Perugia, Salerno, Milan Bicocca, Genoa, and Verona.
The result of Parma rests on very solid indicators. The facilities score 99 points, among the best national values in the category, while employability reaches 97, confirming the university’s ability to train profiles demanded by the job market. The score in communication and digital services is also very positive (102), confirming a constant investment in innovation and accessibility of services for students.
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The excellences of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Ferrara remains competitive
The University of Modena and Reggio Emilia ranks tenth among the large universities with 83 points. Although it does not manage to approach the top positions, the university stands out for one of the most significant indicators of the entire ranking: employability, rated 104 points, is the highest figure in the category along with the best Italian universities. A result that reflects the strong link with the Emilia industrial system and the ability to quickly place graduates in the job market. More modest, however, are the scores related to services, scholarships, and internationalization, aspects on which much of the gap with the universities occupying the top positions is concentrated.
Immediately after is the University of Ferrara, thirteenth with 80.8 points. Here too, a good performance emerges on the employability front (95 points), accompanied by a positive evaluation of the facilities (89). Lower are the indicators related to digital communication and internationalization, elements that affect the final score but do not erase a stable presence of the Estense university in the national ranking.
Emilia-Romagna and the strength of its university system
Overall, the Censis ranking reflects the image of a region that continues to represent one of the main university hubs in Italy. Bologna remains firmly in the national elite, Parma consolidates its role among the best large universities, while Modena and Reggio Emilia and Ferrara confirm the quality of a widespread system, capable of offering competitive paths in different territories.
The picture also fits into a phase of growth for the Italian university. In the last ten years, enrollments have increased by almost 20%, reaching over 321,000 new students in the last academic year, with a further increase of 0.9% compared to the previous year.
Numbers that confirm how the choice of university is increasingly strategic for students and families and make even more significant the ability of Emilia-Romagna universities to remain at the top of national quality.
