Alagappa University is a public university located in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India. Originated from Alagappa Arts College, founded by Alagappa Chettiar in 1947, it was established in 1985 by an Act of the Tamil Nadu government. It was converted from a unitary type to an affiliating type by the Tamil Nadu Universities Act, 2002, with jurisdiction over arts and science colleges in the districts of Ramanathapuram district and Sivaganga district.