Considered one of the largest universities in Turkey with more than 85,000 students,[8] Sakarya University has very high research activity and its comprehensive graduate program offers doctoral degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Humanities, as well as professional degrees in business, medicine, law, nursing, social work and dentistry.

[12] Concurrently, the Düzce Vocational School was detached and affiliated with Abant İzzet Baysal University.

[13] In November 1992, Ramazan Evren, a professor from İTÜ's Department of Industrial Engineering, was appointed as the founding rector.

The bus, carrying students from the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture on a trip to Bodrum, collided with a truck on the Karacabey-Bursa highway.

During the Marmara Earthquake in 1999, which struck the region, the university tragically lost three faculty members and three administrative staff.

Notably, four distinguished faculty members—Ali Balcı (2019), Ozan Yılmaz (2019), Gamze Güney Eskiler (2022), and Tuğrul Çetinkaya (2024)—were recipients of the TÜBA-GEBİP Awards, reflecting the university's contributions to cutting-edge research and innovation.

Established in 2012, it hosts four departments, Public Relations and Advertising, Journalism, Radio-Television and Cinema and Communication Sciences.

In 1995, the Suleyman Demirel Library moved into its current building, which covers a 7000 m2 section and it is located in an area of 5000 m2.

Sakarya University hosts also Ibn-i Haldun Library located at the building of the Middle East Institute.

Hosting books mostly on Middle Eastern politics, society and culture, this library provides basic materials for graduate student and academic researchers.

From the city center, public buses and other minibus services make it possible for students to get to the campus and other units of the university.

In line with the ISO 9000-9002 standards, the food served is exposed to strict hygienic controls and issue of nutrition is always taken into consideration.

In and around the campus are located a number of state and private dorms which consider all types of requirements of students in terms of accommodation.

The capacity of the dorms is as follows: Health services are carried out under the control and guidance of the Health-Cultural and Sports Affairs Office.

The Rectorate Cup Organisation holds a yearly football tournament as well as other competitions in chess, basketball and athletics.

Every year, the university holds a traditional Spring Festival on 16–18 May, which marks the meeting of natural beauty of the campus with social facilities.

The festival has already turned out a carnival where all residents of Sakarya can take part and enjoy the culture and sport events.