City University was founded in 1973 as City College by a group of business leaders and educators in the Seattle area led by Michael A. Pastore with an original mission dedicated to providing higher education for working adults.

Since then, the university has grown to consist of undergraduate and graduate programs across six areas: the School of Management; the Albright School of Education; the Division of Arts and Sciences; the Division of Doctoral Studies; the International College; and the Washington Academy of Languages.

The college first opened in rented office space in the Lyon Building in downtown Seattle.

[3] Over the years, the school has expanded its locations worldwide and negotiated partnerships with other educational institutions to offer certificate and degree programs.

[5] CityU's School of Technology and Computing (STC) has an ABET accredited program – the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems – and is designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.