Established on 2nd January 1869, by German Jesuits, St. Xavier's College, Mumbai is under the control of Society of Jesus. It is a Catholic Christian Minority College. The main aim of Society of Jesus (Jesuits) is to provide university education to deserving students of the Catholic community in a Christian atmosphere.

It is one of the well-known colleges in India providing education in the arts, commerce and science streams and can be credited for producing many distinguished alumni. The aim of the college is to train students so that they become able leaders in all walks of life and bring about positive changes in the society.

St. Xavier's College, Mumbai is affiliated with University of Mumbai, Mumbai and it was recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under section 2(f) & 12(B) on 1st April 1975 under Act, 1956. The college was re-accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with "A" Grade (CGPA Score 3.63 on a 4 Point Scale in the 3rd cycle) on 25th October 2013.

St. Xavier's College, Mumbai is named after the 16th-century Spanish Jesuit saint Francis Xavier. The campus of the college is located in South Mumbai. It is built in the Indo-Gothic style and is currently recognized as a heritage structure.

St. Xavier's College, Mumbai was started as an arts college. In the 1920s, while the science departments were added, in the 1930s, the college was expanded to a large extent. The college was started with only two students. These two students belonged to a group of six students who were from St. Mary's Institution and who in 1868 had appeared for the University matriculation examination.

Many dignitaries have visited this college. Hillary Clinton, the United States Secretary of State visited the college on 18th July 2009 and engaged in an interactive session with the students of the college with regards to education and academics. US President Barack Obama made a visit to the college in November 2010 and participated in a town hall meeting.

The college has been of service to the nation for more than 150 years. As a grant-in-aid college, the government is in charge of fixing all the facilities to be provided to the students and the fees to be paid. On 28th September 2006, the UGC conferred the status of "College with Potential for Excellence (CPE)" to the college.

Under the Maharashtra State Board of Higher Secondary education, Pune intermediate courses in science and arts streams are offered at the college with various specializations. Undergraduate courses of three years and postgraduate courses of two years in the science, commerce, and arts streams are offered at the college under the University of Mumbai, Mumbai. Specializations in various streams and add-on certificate courses are also offered.

Students seeking admission to the college must fill up online application forms provided by the college stating their academic achievements and interests. The cut-off marks to get admission to the college are specified by the college. The college also hosts various examinations that are conducted by the University of Mumbai, Mumbai.

Vision:

• The college has the vision to create an environment that propagates the habit of critical thinking, the ability for correct expression and the love of learning. The college considers itself as an academic community where teachers, students, and scholars have the responsibility and freedom to enlarge, communicate and evaluate mankind's store of knowledge

Mission:

• The college is on a mission to conduct proper research, teach students diligently and engage in various cultural services in order to preserve, renew and communicate knowledge and human values