The foundation of Balıkesir University dates back to the Karesi Teacher Training School established in 1910. In 1932, with the special attention of the then Minister of National Education, Mustafa Necati Bey, the school was moved to the building where the Necatibey Faculty of Education currently operates and was renamed Necatibey Teacher School.

From 1932 to 1982, it continued to train teachers under the name "Necatibey Institute of Education." In 1981, it was upgraded from a three-year program to a four-year "Higher Teacher Training School," and in 1982, it was affiliated with Uludağ University under the name Necatibey Faculty of Education.

Likewise, with the Decree Law No. 41 enacted in 1982, other higher education institutions located in Balıkesir were affiliated with Uludağ University:

• The Balıkesir School of Business and Tourism was renamed as the Balıkesir School of Tourism and Hotel Management,

• The Balıkesir State Academy of Engineering and Architecture became the Balıkesir Faculty of Engineering,

• The Balıkesir Vocational School, another affiliated institution, continued its activities under the same name.

These institutions remained under the umbrella of Uludağ University for ten years and, through healthy and steady development, formed a strong foundation for the establishment of Balıkesir University.

Balıkesir University was officially established under Law No. 3837 published in the Official Gazette No. 21281 dated July 11, 1992, and gained legal status on January 1, 1993.

Thanks to its strong development, Balıkesir University also gave rise to a new university. The academic units designated by Balıkesir University formed the foundation of Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University, which was established in 2015.