American University in Bulgaria

About us

Location Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria Funding Type Private
No of Students 1000 Establishment HE Institution / College
Founded In 1991 Estimated Cost of Living 3000 USD
Address 1 G. Izmirliev St.,

In 1991 the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) was established to develop leaders in Southeastern Europe who could make a difference in the rapidly changing region. Today, AUBG is the #1 school for Business and Politics, according to the Bulgarian University Ranking System 2017. AUBG offers high-quality American education delivered entirely in English and students obtain both a U.S. and a European diploma. Here students have the chance to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of academic excellence and acquire skills that go beyond their degrees. At AUBG students share the most fundamental college experiences in a diverse and inclusive community with students from 40+ countries. Most importantly, the holistic approach of liberal arts education and residential campus life prepare AUBG graduates for exceptional professional achievements worldwide - 99.8 % of AUBG alumni get employed or enrolled in grad school within a few months of graduation.

Why?

Founded in 1991, the American University in Bulgaria is the first American-style, liberal arts undergraduate education institution in Eastern Europe. The University is a cooperative venture established with the support of the U.S. and Bulgarian governments, the Open Society Institute, the City of Blagoevgrad, and the University of Maine. When it opened its doors in September 1991, AUBG welcomed a first-year class of 208 students and 16 full-time faculty members. Nowadays, around 1,000 students from over 40 countries live and study in AUBG. By May 2017, twenty two classes of around 5,000 students had graduated from AUBG. Baccalaureate degrees conferred by AUBG are accredited in both Bulgaria and the United States. AUBG is institutionally accredited in the United States from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The University also issues a European Diploma Supplement (part of Europass), which confers automatic recognition of the AUBG degree throughout Europe. AUBG graduates top global success rankings with 99.8 percent employed or enrolled in grad school within a few months of graduation. Further, 65 percent of graduating students receive more than one job offer or higher degree program acceptance letter when they applied for work or a higher degree upon completing their studies at AUBG. Approximately 20 percent of graduates earn more than $100,000/year and over 20 percent of alumni from 1995-2005 who are currently working in the US earn more than $250,000/year.