According to the recommendations made by the Knowledge Commission, a Government Order from the Andhra Pradesh State Government formed Krishna University. The foundation stone for the university was laid by the late Chief Minister the 16th of April of the same year, a high power committee from the Andhra Pradesh Government visited Machilipatnam, the place at which the university campus is situated and identified 200 acres of land at a village about 8 km from Machilipatnam.

The university was given this name after the mighty river Krishna. With the objectives of employability of graduates, resources, local needs and social relevance, the university is offering courses like M.A in English and Telugu, M. Sc electronics & instrumentation, pharmaceutical chemistry and bio-technology. M.A in mass communications & journalism and M. Pharmacy, M.B.A and M.C.A as well through its affiliated colleges and the list of colleges coming under the university is given below:

Affiliated colleges:

• University College, Krishna University, Machilipatnam, Krishna Dist.

• Andhra Loyola College, Vijayawada

• Noble College, Machilipatnam, Krishna Dist.

• Montessori Mahila Kalasala, Punnammathota, Vijayawada

• Chaitanya Degree College, Nandigama, Krishna Dist.

• SGS (Smt. Gentela Sakuntalamma) College, (Degree & PG Centre), Vidyanagar, Jaggayyapet, Krishna Dist.

• AJ College Of Education, Rajupet, Machilipatnam, Krishna Dist.

• VSR Govt. Degree College, Movva, Krishna Dist.

• Sri Siddhartha PG College of Science & Computers, Nuzvid, Krishna Dist.

• Sri Krishnaveni Degree Kalasala, Poranki, Vijayawada

• The Hindu College (PG Courses), Machilipatnam, Krishna Dist.

• Dharma Appa Rao College, Nuzvid, Krishna Dist.

• KVR (Kani Venkata Ratnam) College, Nandigama, Krishna Dist.

• Nova College Of Education, Ibrahimpatnam, Krishna Dist.

• Prabhas Degree College, Main Road, Kedareswarapet, Vijayawada

• PB Siddhratha College Of Arts & Science (PG), Siddhartha Nagar, Vijayawada

• Maris Stella College, Vijayawada

• Govt. Degree College, Avanigadda, Krishna Dist.

• Sarada College (PG Courses), Gandhi Nagar, Vijayawada

• ANR College, Gudivada, Krishna Dist.

• Sree Vidya Degree College, Gowrisankarapuram, Gudivada, Krishna Dist.

• Vignan Degree College (PG Courses), Visannapeta, Krishna Dist.

• Vikas Degree College (PG Courses), Visannapeta, Krishna Dist.

• SRR & CVR Govt. College, Vijayawada, Kishna Dist.

• Vikas College Of Education, Visannapet, Krishna Dist.

• Kakaraparti Bhavanarayana PG College, Kothapeta, Vijayawada

• Nalanda Degree College, MG Road, Labbipet, Vijayawada

• SDMSM Kalasala, Vijayawada

• Gandhi Mahila Kalasala, Park Rd., Vijayawada

• Vidyajali Degree & PG College, Opp. Bus Station, Kailakur, Krishna Dist.

• Sri Srinivasa Degree College, Vuyyuru, Krishna Dist.

• ANR & PL College, Gudivada, Krishna Dist.

• Pavitra Degree College, Ramanaidupet, Machilipatnam, Krishna Dist.

• Sai Degree College, Tiruvuru, Krishna Dist.

• AG & SGS College, Jaggaiahpet, Krishna Dist.

Initially in the year 2008, Krishna University was located at Andhra Jeeteya Kalasala, which was a popular first grade college in Machilipatnam and from the year 2008-2009, its academic blocks started to function at A.J. Kalasala campus.  Machilipatnam is a historic town and it is the headquarters of Krishna district of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is also a special grade municipality. The university meets the higher education requirements of the state as a whole and the Krishna District in particular.