Education in Vellore district is advanced and it is consistently good and commendable. The American Arcot mission, which was established in Vellore center in the year 1853, has the distribution of pioneering the cause of higher education by establishing the American Arcot Mission College affiliated to the University of Madras as early as 1898 and later on, this came to be known as Voorhees College. The Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur and the Auxilium College (for women) at Katpadi are other Christian institutions which are dedicated to the cause of education. The Government of Tamil Nadu with an ambitious scheme and ardent desire to promote higher education established a series of Arts Colleges throughout the state. The Muthurangam Government Arts College, Vellore, Thirumagal mills Government Arts college and Gudiyatham Arigar Anna Arts college for women, Walajah have been established in the rural areas for poor students.

The private participation in the growth of higher education in the Vellore district is also overwhelming. The D.K.M. College for women Vellore is a fine example of private institutions in this district. Some of the Muslim philanthropists and educationists, realizing the need to wide open opportunities for the Muslim youth to learn higher education, have established educational centers. The Islamiah College, Vaniayambadi, C. Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam, the Mazhrul-uloom College, Ambur, and the Muslim minority Institutions contribute their mite in promoting higher education in the district of Vellore. The Arabic College in Vellore district is another important educational center for higher education.

The district of Vellore in the state of Tamil Nadu is not lagging behind in providing professional education. The Christian Medical College, Vellore offers even Post Graduate courses in some specialized branches. By starting an Engineering College, the Government also has fulfilled the aspiration of the student community of this district. In view of the financial constraints, in the last few years, the Government has encouraged self financing institutions. The Vellore engineering College, Vellore, which has several academic distinctions to its credit, The Priyadershini engineering college, Vaniyampadi, have come into existence as a result. There is also a Government Teachers Training College, in Vellore offering both Undergraduate and Post Graduate courses. The phenomenal growth of these educational institutions in the district only testifies the growing demand and the keen interest of the student community for higher and professional education.

Some of the other major educational institutions in the district of Vellore are The Schiefflin Leprosy Research and Training Center in Karigiri, Vellore Institute of Technology, Muthurangam Government Art College, Auxillium Women`s College, Auxilium Girls Higher secondary School, Government Muslim Higher secondary school, Ida Scudder School, etc.