R.V.S. College of Arts and Science has an ennobling history. The Rathnavel Subramaniam College (RVS) of Arts and Science was founded on 31st October, 1986 as the "pioneer self-financing college" in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. The college is affiliated to Bharathiar University. The college was also accorded autonomous status in 2004 by UGC and re-accredited in 2014 with "A" Grade.

Courses Offered in R.V.S. College of Arts and Science
Earlier R.V.S. College of Arts and Science offered four courses at Postgraduate level and 10 Undergraduate courses, like Bachelor of Computer Science (BCA), Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) and Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com). In 1987 B.Sc. Electronics was approved by the University and two years later the university gave affiliation to its M.Com course. The College received affiliation for M.C.A. Course and B.Sc. Catering Science and Hotel Management in 1991.

Adding glory to the heritage of R.V.S. College of Arts and Science, Master of Business Administration programme (M.B.A.) was started in 1994. This was followed by the beginning of a handful of courses like Masters of Science in Food and Nutrition, Bachelor of Science in subjects like – Microbiology, Biochemistry, etc. in 1995. Two years later, to keep up the pace of development, Master of International Business programme (MIB), Master of Business Administration (Part time) and B.Sc. Nutrition and Dietetics were offered to the students. In 1998, M.Sc. in Computer Communication was started. In the academic year of 2001-02, the college received approval to start a number of courses like – Bachelors in Computer Application, Bachelors in Commerce with Computer Application, Masters in Science with specialisation in Electronics and Information Science.

The department of social work began in the academic year of 2007-2008 with three specialisations namely – Personnel Management and Industrial Relations, Medical and Psychiatry and Community Development. In addition there are few departments of languages like Tamil, English, Hindi and Malayalam. Some of the departments of R.V.S. College of Arts and Science include Computer, Catering Science, Electronics, Food and Nutrition, Microbiology, Biochemistry and MBA with their own laboratories.

Units of R.V.S. College of Arts and Science
R.V.S. College of Arts and Science has opened various units contributing in making the institute a centre of academic excellence. R.V.S Institute of Management Studies and Research, Business Management, Computer Science, Mathematics Allied Department, Electronics, Catering Science and Hotel Management, Life Sciences, Biochemistry, Food and Nutrition, Biotechnology, Microbiology, School of Commerce are some of the worth mentionable ones.

Facilities Offered in R.V.S. College of Arts and Science
The Library of the college is well-stocked, including a spacious reading section. Hostels are also provided, including excellent hostel facilities. To strive towards achieving the goal of bringing awareness about the changing situation and to bring about a development of personality as a whole, emphasis on extracurricular activities are provided to every students. Every year a college magazine is published, which depicts various aspects of this college like new incidents, events, milestones, achievements, records etc. A publication is also brought out by R.V.S. College of Arts and Science on a monthly basis.