The University of Catamarca was founded on September 12, 1972, the then president Agustín Lanusse, signed the decree that promoted the creation of the university.

Its creation is intertwined with the history of an educational institution of national prestige, such as the "National Institute of Teachers" (1943), which opened new professional horizons to the young people of northwestern Argentina and was the matrix where the National University of Catamarca. In the early 1970s, Argentina sought to decentralize the large university centers and give each province its own university. It was thus that the In its structure the Teachers' Institute and two pre-university schools were incorporated: The National School of Technical Education (ENET N°1) and the Fray Mamerto Esquiú School. Initializing the '' blended '' or '' bimodal'', consisted of attending the University in person and continuing to work according to virtuality and taking into account the health parameters.

The 50 years of the National University of Catamarca mark us as from that September 12, 1972, until today, not only great names passed here, but each one left their mark and allows us to be in a half century full of advances. and fighting for the constant growth of our University, the organization of an academy that would respond to the development of the natural and human resources of the province. In all these years, changes have been made in its academic structure, such as the incorporation of the Faculty of Law. Emphasis was also placed on fourth-level training such as master's degrees and doctorates. The specialties of agricultural sciences, surveying, mining, geology, nursing and humanistic careers were privileged. The Public Accountant career was also included due to the important demand originated by the graduates of the National School of Commerce.

The 50 years of the National University of Catamarca mark us as from that September 12, 1972, until today, not only great names passed here, but each one left their mark and allows us to be in a half century full of advances. and fighting for the constant growth of our University, the organization of an academy that would respond to the development of the natural and human resources of the province. In all these years, changes have been made in its academic structure, such as the incorporation of the Faculty of Law. Emphasis was also placed on fourth-level training such as master's degrees and doctorates. The specialties of agricultural sciences, surveying, mining, geology, nursing and humanistic careers were privileged. The Public Accountant career was also included due to the important demand originated by the graduates of the National School of Commerce.