Marywood University Opened Florence Campus
The Scranton-based institution has established a dedicated study site in Italy for its design students.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Higher Education
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Marywood University has opened a new campus in Florence, Italy, providing studio space and housing for over 40 architecture and interior architecture students. This facility replaces a previous third-party program arrangement.
Why it matters
The new campus allows Marywood to maintain direct control over its international educational offerings in Italy while potentially opening the door for future program expansion to other academic disciplines.
The new Florence campus currently serves 40 architecture and interior architecture students. The facility includes dedicated studio space and student housing situated in or near the city's historic center.
The players
Marywood University
A private Catholic university based in Scranton and Dunmore that offers various undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
International Studies Institutes Inc.
An organization currently involved in pending contract litigation with Marywood University.
The details
Marywood University, which operates out of Scranton and Dunmore, opted to launch this direct-run campus following the conclusion of a prior agreement with an outside contractor. The university is simultaneously navigating ongoing litigation involving International Studies Institutes Inc.
Timeline
The new campus officially opened in September 2026.
Roadmap
Marywood Universitys move to operate its own facility in Italy follows the broader industry trend of higher education institutions seeking direct control over international study locations. By replacing third-party contractors with owned sites, schools aim to improve academic oversight and student housing quality.
Students and faculty at the Green Ridge-area campus will now have direct access to a dedicated international program tailored to design curricula. This change may alter future travel planning and study abroad budgets for those participating in the architecture and interior architecture tracks.
The takeaway
Direct-run international campuses offer institutions greater flexibility in tailoring student experiences to specific academic needs. Students and families should prioritize reviewing these university-operated programs as they often provide more stable housing and dedicated facility access than third-party alternatives.
Further reading
Learn more about local academic developments in the Higher Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Scranton Times-Tribune.
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