Nitte (Deemed-to-be University) has its roots in a group of Institutions established by the Nitte Education Trust. The Trust was established in 1979 by one of India’s respected Statesman, Late Justice KS Hegde, Supreme Court Judge and Speaker of Lok Sabha, with the mission of empowering rural youth through quality education and healthcare. The Trust has established 36 institutions spread in three campuses at Nitte, Mangalore and Bangalore. It offers education in diverse areas of learning including health professions education, engineering, management, humanities, general education, vocational training, and school/pre-university education.

The University received A+ Grading in NAAC accreditation in 2021. The University is placed in the 501-550 Rank Band in the QS Rankings for Asia Region 2024. It has received Diamond rating in the QS I-Gauge India Ratings and has been ranked in the 601+ band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Asia. The Constituent colleges of the university have good standing in their disciplines in the NIRF rankings. In 2024, Nitte University has obtained 66th Rank, the dental college ranked 6th and pharmacy colleges ranked 41th in NIRF. The BPharm program of the University is accredited by NBA. The teaching hospital is accredited by both NABH and NABL.