During the nineteenth century, students studied Philosophy, Theology, Mathematics, Languages and Law at Carlow College.

The delay in accepting students was due to resistance from the local Church of Ireland Bishop, but the passing of the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1793 obviated the need for his permission.

[11] In 1993, a stone cross by the German artist Paul Schneider, was placed in the grounds to celebrate its bi-centenary, also a lecture was given by former college president Bishop Ryan.

[12] In 1995, full-time degree students became entitled to the Irish Government's free fees scheme and local authority grants.

Daniel O'Connell, Ireland's predominant political leader in the first half of the nineteenth century, reputedly gave an oration to the Carlow townspeople from the top of the college's front porch.

Rev William Clancy (1802–1847), missionary and bishop in the United States and British Guiana, studied at Carlow.

Some of the 17 students who had been expelled from Maynooth due to their support for the 1798 rebellion had attended Carlow, including Francis Hearn, who was later executed.

[14] The Rt Rev Michael Collins, Bishop of Cloyne, who was expelled from Maynooth due to his support for Robert Emmet's rebellion, completed his studies at Carlow.

The nationalist Maurice Leyne and the physician and poet Richard D'Alton Williams (1822–1862) attended Carlow College.

Patrick Moriarty OSA was the second president of Villanova College, and instrumental in its setting up, studied at Carlow, before joining the Augustinians.

British General Sir Thomas Kelly-Kenny GCB GCVO (1840–1914) was also educated as a lay student at Carlow College.

[15] Rev Thomas Nangle (1889–1972) from Canada, padre of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in the first world war, studied for the priesthood at Carlow, later a Rhodesian farmer and MP.

Prior to the foundation of HETAC, a number of its courses were validated by its forerunner the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA).

Also about this time the college joined the Central Applications Office CAO for Irish school leavers applying for third-level education.

Brophy memorial library stocks thousands of texts of the Humanities, in Philosophy, Theology, English Literature, Social Studies and the general Liberal Arts.

[28] In 2019 there is a student body of approximately 700 students, full and part-time, taking degrees in the humanities (in all fields of philosophy, theology and the liberal arts) and in the fields of social care; however, this number is likely to increase in the forthcoming years as the college has built a fine reputation of being a 'home away from home,' as the college has a unique, community-orientated ethos.

The College awarded its inaugural St. Columbanus Medal in November 2018, to Dr Martin Mansergh, in recognition of his contribution to the Peace Process in Ireland.

CCSU formed in 2010 with aid from USI, electing its first President Terry Behan at the end of the 2009/10 Academic Year.

In the spacious grounds of Carlow College is the unique National Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre, which officially opened in 2009.

The college generously donated a significant portion of its grounds to Carlow County Council to aid the project.

The opening of this centre coincides with a new entrance to the grounds of the college from the Old Dublin Road side of Carlow town.