[8] Established in 1903 as a training school, Batangas State University is the oldest higher education institution in the region.

[11] Batangas State University was originally established as the Manual Training School in 1903 through the supervision of its first American principal, Mr. Scheer.

Two years later, it was renamed Batangas Trade School with Mr. Schartz, Zacarias Canent, Isaias Maclang, and Nad Pascual Magcamit as its principals, successively.

The school was destroyed by fire in 1928 and classes were held temporarily at the old government building near the present Basilica of Immaculate Conception church.

[12] Again, it was renamed Pablo Borbon Regional School of Arts and Trades on 22 June 1957 as mandated by Republic Act No.

By 1973, Marcos Ato was its principal when the Laboratory School adopted the Revised Secondary Education Program or RSEP.

The following year, civil engineering was offered in PBMIT while the Graduate School was formally opened with Master of Arts in Industrial Education major in Administration and Supervision as its pioneer course.

In association with Technological University of the Philippines or TUP, a doctoral degree in Industrial Education Management was offered in 1987.

Courses in English language, elementary and secondary educations, and computer science were made available the subsequent year.

Simultaneously, PBMIT spearheaded the Dual Training System or DTS that was intended for aspiring technicians.

Starting from 1993, the Laboratory School adopted the Technology Based-Curriculum to conform with PBMIT's Science Education Program.

[2] In 1994, an extension campus was opened in Balayan with welding fabrication and automotive, electrical, and electronics technologies as its premier courses.

A separate department for primary students was created that offered Kindergarten I and II in preschool and Grade I in elementary.

[2][4] On 22 March 2001, Pablo Borbon Memorial Institute of Technology was converted into Batangas State University by virtue of Republic Act No.

[2] However, in 2005, De Chavez and three of his staff were fired by Ombudsman Simeon V. Marcelo for dishonesty and grave misconduct.

[19] In 2013, Magnaye was briefly suspended by the Ombudsman for barring her predecessor to teach in the university but nevertheless held her post until her term expired on 16 July 2014.

[22] A sharp decrease in number of students that were enrolled in the university was noted in 2016 largely because of the full implementation of the country's K-12 curriculum.

[23] In an evening fellowship on 19 November 2016, a 15-meter (49 ft) marker named Tower of Wisdom was inaugurated in Main Campus I to commemorate the 113th founding anniversary of Batangas State University.

Also, BatStateU-The NEU is expected to conduct relevant research and development activities to promote the advancement of the engineering industry in the country.

On July 11, 2022, a ceremonial declaration was held at BatStateU-Pablo Borbon Campus, which officially recognized Batangas State University as the premier center of excellence in engineering education in the country.

Marawoy, Lipa City was named Don Claro M. Recto campus as a tribute to the well-known Filipino politician while the one in Brgy.

In parallel, the university motto also carries with it its long-standing tradition of service, excellence, and virtue, as specified in its official seal, and is anchored on the goal of maximizing transformative impact through innovations in instruction, research, and community service, and of realizing further contributions to national development.