Iringa Lutheran College and Seminary- the forerunner of the Tumaini University, Iringa University College was founded in Iringa in 1994.Lectures in Theology at the Diploma level are held held from 1994 while degree programmes in business administration and Journalism were held from 1995. In 1997, Iringa Lutheran College and Seminary changed its original name, becoming Tumaini University, Iringa University College.

The construction of the new Campus buildings was made largely through generous donations of finances, efforts and involvement from from various parties that include; ELCA-St. Paul Area synod and individuals in USA, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, Germany, congregants from ELCT Iringa Diocese, ELCT Southern zone Diocese and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania. In the year 2011/2012, Tumaini University, Iringa University College boots an enrollment of about 4,500 students who represent largely all Tanzanian society and others are from the EAC, SADC, USA Germany and Finland. The University has highly trained and experienced academic staff from Tanzania and other countries across the globe.