Canara College, Mangaluru was also known as Canara College of Arts, Science, Commerce and Business Management, Mangaluru was established on 1st June 1973 by the Canara High School Association, an organization which has been efficiently managing a number of educational institutions in Mangalore since 1891.

It is one of the premier colleges established to impart & provide in the field of higher education for the deserving candidates and prove to be a milestone in the part of progress.

The college is affiliated to Mangalore University, Mangaluru and recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) on 1st March 1991 & 12(B) on 22nd April 1991 under Act, 1956.

It is re-accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with "A" Grade - (CGPA Score 2.62 on a 4 Point Scale in 3rd Cycle) on 29th March 2016.

The decision to start Canara College was in response to the increasing demand for collegiate education from the Old Boys and well- wishers of the Canara High School Association, and a general need to have an institution of higher education which could impart the best type of academic instruction in Mangalore. The encouraging support of the philanthropic public of Mangalore soon resulted in the establishment of Canara College.

The foundation stone of the college building was laid on 12th July 1972 by Dr. A.P. Pai, Senior Life Member of the College Committee.

The college is managed by the C.H.S. Association under the Presidentship of Shri Basti Narayana Shenoy. The college is indebted to its past President, the late U.Gopalkrishna Nayak, who was instrumental in the construction of the new buildings for the three high Schools, Junior College and the present First Grade College as well.

The building was declared open by Mr. Holck Larsen of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. The college began its services by offering three- year degree courses in Arts, Science and Commerce to the students without distinction of caste or creed.

The college aims not merely to provide university education but also equips the students to face the problems of life.

The college lays great stress on the development of character and discipline among the young students so that they may turn out to be worthy citizens of our country.

The rush for admissions in the college has induced the management to expand in different fields of studies and an additional section was introduced in Commerce.

New combinations in Science, with Electronics and Computer Science, as also a Vocational Course on electronic equipment maintenance for B.Sc., (from 1994) Computer Application for B.Com ( from 1996 ) and BCA (2001) was started. The college has introduced BBM Course in the year 2007 and Postgraduation course, MCom in the academic year 2012-13.