Nirmalagiri college, founded by his Excelleny Rt.Rev.Dr.Sebastian Valloppilly, the first Bishop of Thalassery, is one of the best institutions of higher education in North Malabar. It is a minority institution and although it is established for the higher education especially for the Catholic Youth of the Diocese of Thalassery. It also serves the people at alarge without distinction of caste and creed. The foundation stone was laid by His Excellency on 1st May 1964. The two year Pre-degree course was started under the Kerala University on the 13th of July 1964 and the Degree course during the year 1967-68

The University of Calicut came into existence on 23rd July 1968 and the college stood affiliated to it till the Kannur University was established on March 2nd 1996. The college now imparts instruction to over student in different branches of Arts & Science at the Degree and Post Graduate levels. The college strives for the promotion of academic excellence and the formation of an ideal character based on the love of god and the service of man as modeled in Jesus Christ.