University of Mohaghegh Ardabili was initially established as Ardabil Junior College of Agriculture in 1978 with enrollment of 30 students pursuing its educational activities. In 1991, it separated from the University of Tabriz and qualified into an autonomous center for High Education.

At the same time as the Congress of Ardabili Holy Commemoration was held in 1375 and with the approval of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution, the name was changed to University of Mohaghegh Ardabili.

This university is located in the center of the province (Ardabil city) and east side of the beautiful Shorabil Lake which is the only state comprehensive university in province which the main campus in the center of the province and 3 faculties in three cities of Namin, parsabade and Meshgin shahr.

 Currently, it has 128 thousand and 929 square meters of teaching space and educational assistance with 420 faculty members, more than thirteen thousand and five hundred domestic students, more than one thousand and five from Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Nigeria, 9 faculties, 3 research centers, 3 Research institutes, 11 research cores, 24 scientific – research journals,  hundred foreign students from Iraq, 24 scientific – research journals, one center for innovation and development of technology units, foreign and Persian language academy, health and wellness center, Azerbaijan culture research center, central laboratory and Ardabil since history museum, is trying to expand the educational activities and research valuable steps.

There are 315 fields of study approved by the University's Extension Council including 69 PhD, 168 Master, 77 Bachelor, and 3 Associate programs