Founded in 1902, Northwest University was originally named as　the Shaanxi College. It was the first national comprehensive university in Shaanxi, as well as the establishment of this university marked the beginning of Shaanxi's modern history of higher education. It was in 1939, that the university came to adopt its present name.

At the start of the century, Northwest University was placed, by the Chinese government, on the top of the agenda for promoting Shaanxi higher education, with a view to make it a world-famous university in the 21st century.

Northwest University has continually played the essential role of pioneer in the course of China's progress towards modernization. The university's traditional values of solidarity, progress, democracy, and dedication, together with the educational style of diligence, exactitude, truthfulness, and innovation, have been passed down from generation to generation.