In Tamil Nadu, there are 2 central universities, 22 state universities, and 28 deemed universities.
Universities
State universities
| University name | Location | District | Support | Specialization | Estd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alagappa University | Karaikudi | Sivagangai | State | Humanities, sciences | 1985 |
| Anna University | Chennai | Chennai | State | Engineering | 1978 |
| Annamalai University | Annamalai Nagar | Cuddalore | State | Humanities, sciences, engineering, agriculture | 1929 |
| Bharathiar University | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | State | Humanities, sciences | 1982 |
| Bharathidasan University | Trichy | Trichy | State | Humanities, sciences | 1982 |
| Madurai Kamaraj University | Madurai | Madurai | State | Humanities, sciences | 1965 |
| Manonmaniam Sundaranar University | Tirunelveli | Tirunelveli | State | Humanities, sciences | 1992 |
| Mother Teresa Women’s University | Kodaikanal | Kodaikanal | State | Humanities, sciences | 1984 |
| Periyar University | Salem | Salem | State | Humanities, sciences | 1998 |
| Tamil University | Thanjavur | Thanjavur | State | Humanities, sciences | 1981 |
| Tamil Nadu Agricultural University | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | State | Agriculture | 1971 |
| Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University | Chennai | Chennai | State | Law | 1998 |
| Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University | Chennai | Chennai | State | Medical | 1989 |
| Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Fisheries University | Nagapattinam | Nagapattinam | State | Fisheries and aquaculture | 2012 |
| Tamil Nadu Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Music and Fine Arts University | Chennai | Chennai | State | Music and Arts | 2013 |
| Tamil Nadu Horticulture University | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | State | Horticultural science | 2011 |
| Tamil Nadu Open University | Chennai | Chennai | State | 2004 | |
| Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University | Chennai | Chennai | State | Sports | 2005 |
| Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University | Chennai | Chennai | State | Education | 2008 |
| Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University | Chennai | Chennai | State | Veterinary | 1990 |
| Thiruvalluvar University | Vellore | Vellore | State | Humanities, sciences | 2003 |
| University of Madras | Chennai | Chennai | State | Humanities, sciences | 1857 |
Deemed to be universities
| University name | Location | District | Estd. |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMET University | Chennai | Chennai | 1993 |
| Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | 1994 |
| Avinashilingam University | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | 1987 |
| Bharat University | Chennai | Chennai | |
| B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology | Vandalur | Kanchipuram | |
| Chennai Mathematical Institute | Chennai | Chennai | 1989 |
| Chettinad University | Chennai | Chennai | 2008 |
| Gandhigram Rural Institute | Dindigul | Dindigul | 1956 |
| Hindustan University | Chennai | Chennai | 1985 |
| Kalasalingam University | Krishnankoil | Virudhunagar | |
| Karpagam University | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | |
| Karunya University | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | |
| Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute | Chennai | Chennai | |
| Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research | Chennai | Chennai | |
| Noorul Islam University | Thuckalay | Kanyakumari district | |
| Periyar Maniammai University | Thanjavur | Thanjavur | |
| Prist University | Thanjavur | Thanjavur | 1985 |
| Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University – Coimbatore Campus | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | 2005 |
| Sathyabama University | Chennai | Chennai | |
| Saveetha University | Chennai | Chennai | 2005 |
| Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy (SASTRA) | Thanjavur | Thanjavur | |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai | Chennai | 1986 |
| Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya | Kanchipuram district | Kanchipuram district | 1993 |
| Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute | Chennai | Chennai | |
| St. Peter’s Institute of Higher Education and Research | Avadi | Chennai | 2008 |
| Vels University | Chennai | Chennai | |
| Vel Tech Dr.RR & Dr.SR Technical University | Avadi | Chennai | 1990 |
| Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation, Deemed University | Salem | Salem | |
| VIT University | Vellore | Vellore | 1984 |
Autonomous institutes
| University name | Location | District | Support | Specialization | Estd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bharathidasan Institute of Management | Tiruchirappalli | Tiruchirappalli | Bharathidasan University | Management | 1984 |
| Central Institute of Brackish Water Aquaculture | Chennai | Chennai | Center | Aquaculture | 1987 |
| Central Leather Research Institute | Chennai | Chennai | Center | Leather research | 1948 |
| Central University of Tamil Nadu | Tiruvarur | Tiruvarur | Center | Humanities, sciences | |
| Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology | Thanjavur | Thanjavur | Center | Crop research | 1967 |
| Indian Institute of Handloom Technology | Salem | Salem | Center | Handloom technology | 1960 |
| Indian Institute of Information Technology Tiruchirappalli | Trichy | Trichy | Center | Engineering | 2013 |
| Indian Institute of Information Technology Design & Manufacturing Kancheepuram | Chennai | Chennai | Center | Engineering | |
| Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirappalli | Trichy | Trichy | Center | Management | 2011 |
| Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Chennai | Chennai | Center | Engineering | 1959 |
| National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli | Trichy | Trichy | Center | Engineering | 1964 |
| National Institute of Technology, Puducherry | Karaikal | Karaikal | Center | Engineering | 2009 |
| National Institute of Fashion Technology | Chennai | Chennai | Center | Fashion design | |
| Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles & Management | Coimbatore | Coimbatore | Center | Textile processing | 2002 |
| Tamil Nadu National Law School | Trichy | Trichy | Center | Legal | 2014 |
State and central government joint support institutes
| University name | Location | District | Support | Specialization | Estd. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Electro Chemical Research Institute (autonomous) | Karaikudi | Sivagangai | CSIR | Electrochemical | 1948 |
| Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai | Chennai | Chennai | Department of Atomic Energy | 1962 | |
| Indian Maritime University | Chennai | Chennai | Maritime Studies | 2008 | |
| Madras Institute of Development Studies (autonomous) | Chennai | Chennai | 1971 | ||
| Tamil Virtual Academy | Chennai | Chennai | Tamil Nadu Government | Tamil language | 2001 |
| Stella Maris College | Chennai | Chennai | University of Madras | Arts and Sciences | 1947 |