Could a United States college student take their ID and use it to get cheaper fares in the South of France, Italy and Malta? (For museums etc..)

Definitely take the ID. It is not always honored.

I'm in Barcelona right now, doing a study abroad program, and we were all required to get an ISIC (international student identity card)..you can get it from STA Travel. Ive seen discounts at some museums, etc., but a university ID might just work for the student discount instead. They are about $20-25..so unless you'll be able to save a lot of money on your flight over (which you can sometimes do with the card when you book through STA) it might not even be worth it. i'd probably just take your university ID.

In France the discount is usually granted to anyone under 26, with those under 18 often being free. However in Italy the ISTC card is much more worthwhile with many museums giving discounts for it, they may as well give it for any student ID, depends on ticket taker. Italian museums also give discounts for those under 26 and 60 and over but most have a sign posted saying this only applies to countries signing reciprocal agreements and the US is not included on the list so no discounts are promised. The ISTC card is not the only such card, but is the one most recongized all over Europe; other cards may have similar benefits they've brokered but if buying a card, do the ISTC route. There is limited insurance coverage and emergency help with the card but expect few if any discounts on transportation as these are often age, not student status related. Come to think of it why should students, often more wealthy than non-students get the discount. This is the philosophy in Holland, France and more and more countries.

"Come to think of it why should students, often more wealthy than non-students get the discount."

HUH? Every single student I know is as poor as a church rat. They live on their state allowance and occational part time work. Same age working people have wages. I think you now spoke of students from countries where parents pay for the studies, not European students.

But yes, often transportation fares are linked to age, but museum entrances are linkes to student status.