ZNU (the ex-Higher School for Agriculture & Animal Science) started its activities in 1975.

In December 1975, as ratified by the state council, land with an area of 440 hectares was dedicated by the Forestry Organization to ZNU.

On February 20, 1976 Zanjan Higher School for Agriculture & Animal Science started its work under the new title Zanjan Agriculture & Animal Science College while it enhanced its Agriculture & Animal Science Courses to a BS Level.

Following this the science and humanities colleges were established in 1990 & 1991, respectively, and the Ministry of Culture and Higher Education changed the center for higher school in Zanjan to University of Zanjan.

[3] At the time of the 2006 National Census, the university's population was 125 in 36 households.