It was also the first university to establish a faculty dedicated to business administration in the country.

[6] The roots of the university can be traced back to 1902, when the Kobe Higher Commercial School (神戸高等商業学校, Kōbe kōtō shōgyō gakkō) was established.

In 1929 this school was renamed Kobe University of Commerce (神戸商業大学, Kōbe shōgyō daigaku),[7] and it was further renamed in 1944, Kobe University of Economics (神戸経済大学, Kōbe keizai daigaku).

The university has since been expanded and has created new faculties to complement its main academic foundations, which have been strongly established in the fields of economics and commerce.

The university comprises four campuses: Rokkodai, Kusunoki, Myodani, and Fukae.