CBU traces its root back to 1959[3] as an independent sports and teachers' college in Manisa.

[4] It is one of the largest universities in Aegean Region with more than 55,000 student body and 1,156 faculty members.

A unique and the only one of its kind, School Of Tobacco Expertise was established in 1975 and then relocated to Akhisar, Manisa in 1987.

From 1982 to 1992, with sports and education colleges, it was moved under Dokuz Eylül University administration.

The university has continued adding new colleges to respond the dynamic needs of communities and students.

University is proud to carry the name Celal Bayar, who is the third president of Turkey.

In order to emphasize its location, the university asked the higher education department to add Manisa in its name.

Mevlevihane was constructed in 1368–1369, by the architect Osmanoğlu Emetullah on an order by Sarunhanoğlu İshak Bey.

MCBU is also responsible of governing 15 vocational schools, which are granting associate degrees.

[15] Also MCBU has accreditation for its engineering programs; EUR-ACE label and its medical degrees.