Periyar University was formed in the year 1997 by an Act by Tamil Nadu Government. The university was named in honor of the famous social reformer known as ‘Thanthai Periyar’. The university was formed with three departments namely mathematics, geology and commerce and it was formed from the postgraduate extension center of university of Madras that was functioning at Salem. The university was offered with 2f status in the year 1998 and 12 (B) status in the year 2005 by the UGC.

The university is also accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council. The vision of this university is ‘Wisdom Make the world’ and this is enshrined in the logo of the university as well. This vision statement is a philosophy phrase said by ‘Thanthai Periyar’ and the meaning behind this phrase is that man becomes man only when he acquires knowledge. The category-wise list of colleges affiliated to the university is as follows:

Government Colleges:

• Government Arts College, Salem

• Government Arts College Men, Krishnagiri

• Government Arts College, Dharmapuri

• Thiruvalluvar Government Arts College, Rasipuram

• Arignar Anna Government Arts College, Namakkal

• NKR Government Arts College for Women, Namakkal

• Arignar Anna Government Arts College, Vadachennimalai, Attur

• Government Arts College for Women, Salem

• Government Arts College for Women, Krishnagiri

• Government Arts & Science College (Women), Burgur, Kirshnagiri

• Periyar University College of Arts & Science, Mettur, Salem Dt.

Aided Colleges:

• Sri Sarada College for Women, Salem

• Kandaswami Kandar’s College, Velur, Namakkal Dt.

• J.K.K Nataraja College of Arts & Science, Komarapalayam

• Salem Sowdeswari College, Salem

Self Finance Colleges:

• M.G.R College of Arts & Science, Hosur

• Vysya College of Arts & Science, Masinackenpatty, Salem

• Sengunthar Arts & Science College, Neikkrapatty, Tiruchengode, Namakkal Dt.

• Muthayammal College of Arts & Science, Kakkaveri, Rasipuram

• P.G.P College of Arts & Science, Namakkal

• Subramaniam Arts & Science College, Mohanur, Namakkal

• PEE GEE College of Arts & Science, Periyanahalli, Dharmapuri

• A.V.S College of Arts & Science, Ramalingapuram, Salem

• Harur Muthu Arts & Science College for Women, Muthu Gounder Colony, Harur.

• K.S.R Arts & Science College, Thokkavadi (Post), Tiruchengod

• Vivekanandha College of Arts & Science (W), Elayampalayam, Tiruchengode

• Kamadhenu College of Arts & Science, A.H.Road, Thokkampatti (PO), Dharmapuri

• Bharathiyar Arts & Science College (W), Deviakurichi, Attur

• Mahendra Arts && Science college, Attayampatty (Via), Kalipatty (Post), Namakkal.

• PMP College of Arts & Science, Thokkampatti, Dharmapuri

• Selvam Arts & Science college, Pappinaickkenpatti, Namakkal

• Trinity College for Women, Vagurampatti, Namakkal Dt.

• Salem Sowdeswari College, Salem

• Sri Vidhya Mandir Arts & Science College, Krishnagiri

• Jairam Arts & Science College, Chinnathirupathy (P.0), Salem

• Sri Balamurugan College of Arts & Science, Sathapadi (PO), Mettur (Tk), Salem (Dt)

• Rabindharanath Tagore College of Arts & Science for Women, Sankari TK, Salem - Dt.

• Sri Ganesh College of Arts & Science, Kumaragiri Bye-Pass, Ammapet, Salem

• Shri Sakthikailassh Women’s College, Ammapet, Salem

• Paavendar College of Arts & Science, Manivilunthan South (P.0), Attur

• Attur Arts & Science College, Appamasamundram, Narasingapuram, Attur

• Vivekanandha College for Women, Unjanai Village, Elayampalayam, Tiruchengode

• Padmavani Arts & Science College for (W), Kottagoundampatti, Omalur Tk, Salem

• Gem Gates Arts & Science College, Attur Salem Main Road, Kothampadi, Attur

• SSM College of Arts & Science, Katheir, Sankagiri, Namakkal Dt.

• Arignar Anna College (Arts & Science), Veppannapalli, Nachikuppam Village, Krishnagiri Dt.

• King College of Arts & Science for Women, Nallur N. Pudupatty Post, Nallur, Namakkal Dt.

• Anbu Arts & Science College, Komarapalayam, Namakkal Dt.

• St. Joseph’s College of Arts & Science for (W), Mookandapalli, Hosur (PO), Krishnagiri

• Don Bosco College of Arts and Science, Pappanahalli, Sogathur P.O. Dharmapuri Dt.

• Pachamuthu College of Arts & Science for Women, A.Jettihalli, Dharmapuri Dt.

• Viswha Bharathi Arts & Science College, M.Thoppampatti, Morappur Post, Dharmauri Dt.

• Vinayaka Mission’s Kirupananda Variyar Arts and Science College

• Morappur Kongu College of Arts and Science, Vengiampatti, Harur Tk, Dharmapuri Dt.

• ERK College of Arts & Science, Erumiyampatti Post, Harur Tk, Dharmapuri Dt.

• Salem Kongunadu Arts & Science, Jagir Ammapalayam, Salem Tk & Dt.

• Salem Christian College of Arts & Science, Thathoor, Poovanoor Post, Paruthikadu, Salem

Periyar University aims at spreading quality education and knowledge within and outside its neighbouring areas. The university aims at spreading thrust in particular and knowledge in general given to enable the knowledge reach of the youth in socially, economically and educationally weaker sections.

The university works to achieve its objectives through the affiliated colleges and departments of research and study. The university also aims at upliftment of the society through education so as to achieve self-reliance. The campus of the university is located on the Bangalore National Highways, which is at a distance of 10 km away from the city of Salem and the campus is spread over an area of 100 acres accommodating departmental and administrative buildings.