St. Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, the first women’s college on the west coast of India, is a minority institution was established on 20th April 1921 by a great visionary, Mother Mary Aloysia of the Apostolic Carmel Congregation.

She was the first woman recipient of the prestigious National Award, Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal of the First Class in 1929, by the then British Government for her contributions in the field of Women’s Education.

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 it is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) on 26th May 1981 & 12(B) under Act, 1956.

It is re-accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with "A+" Grade (CGPA Score 3.65 on a 4 Point Scale in 4th Cycle) on 28th March 2017.

St. Agnes College is an Autonomous Catholic Minority Institution which forms its inception has imparted higher education to the women of South India. It has ever since proved to be a standard bearer of repute in the field.

St.Agnes College was registered under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 under the title 'The Apostolic Carmel Educational Society' on the 12th February 1957.

The aim of the college is to provide the students integral, value-based and quality oriented learning experiences, academic and life-related programs and also faith education to the Catholics, in an environment of integrated and interactive learning.

The proof of its adherence to standard lies in the milestone achievements the college is proud of:

1971 - Golden Jubilee

• The college took the initiative to build St. Agnes Special School for the differently-abled, as a memorial of its Golden Jubilee.

1981 - Diamond Jubilee

• The learning resources of the college got augmented with the construction of a new Library.

1996 - Platinum Jubilee

• The college was hallowed by the visit of St. Mother Teresa of Kolkota. This period witnessed the introduction of a plethora of new disciplines like Microbiology, Electronics, Statistics, Computer Science and Computer Applications. It was a period of marked growth and change on the campus both structurally and academically.

The college conferred the status of grant-in-aid college that the fees and all the facilities for the students are fixed by the government. The student's admission is done as per the Admission Criteria prescribed by the affiliating univeristy.

The college was also recognized & conferred the status as “College with Potential for Excellence (CPE)" by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi on 29th May 2006.

To promote academic excellence in teaching and research, the Management of St. Agnes College applied for the status of academic autonomy and was one of the first colleges to be granted academic autonomy in 2007 under Mangalore University. The year also witnessed the establishment of the PG Programme.

The college received the grant under the Star College Scheme from the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India in 2012.

The St. Agnes Centre for Post Graduate Studies and Research was recognized as the Research Centre by Mangalore University in 2015.

At present, the college offers three years undergraduate & two years postgraduate courses in Arts, Science, Commerce, & Management streams with various optional specializations under Mangalore University, Mangaluru. It also offers Add-On Certificate & Diploma courses as well.

Apart from these courses, the college offers M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, a Para Medical course affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Bengaluru was established in the year 2010 at St. Agnes College of Allied Health Sciences, Mangaluru. The Post Graduate Programme in Clinical Psychology is a regular Course for the duration of 2 years.

Vision:

• The Apostolic Carmel Higher Education for holistic development prepares the Agnesian Students to be God-centred, academically competent, responsible citizens and effective leaders committed to serving the society

Mission:

• Provide integral, value based and quality oriented learning experiences in the classroom and beyond
• Strengthen the faith life of the Catholic students and keep alive the founding Charism of the Apostolic Carmel
• Ensure commitment and pursuit of excellence in the staff
• Promote and enhance national and international goals of Higher Education
• Foster and intensify the goals of national integration, unity, and harmony in diversity as well as personal and national leadership for service
• Develop convictions, and reinforce empowerment and action for restoration of women's dignity and human rights
• Nurture eco-friendly culture with responsibility