Salve Regina University was founded in 1934 by the Sisters of Mercy. Originally Salve Regina College, Salve Regina officially changed to University status in 1991.

Salve Regina offers its 2,500 students 43 undergraduate majors, 12 graduate and undergraduate certificate programs and 8 Master's degree programs.

The Departments of Chemistry and Mathematical Sciences offer a minor in Computational Science. The Department of Interactive Communication Technology brings together the communication traditions of several departments with the use of computer technology.

Since 1985, Salve Regina has offered continuing education and e-learning programs.

The McKillop Library, built in 1991, contains computer labs and a multimedia center for students and faculty. The University has also started an Information Literacy and Technology Across the Curriculum program. Efforts to increase information literacy include workshops offered by the library, single credit intro courses in Information Systems Management, and 21 technology enhanced classrooms.

Salve has recently undertaken a student laptop intiative, requiring all incoming freshmen to purchase a laptop. Salve Regina's dorms are completely networked and wireless internet is available in several University buildings.

In the 2008 US News and World Report, Salve Regina ranked number 35 in the Master's Universities in the North category.