North Orissa University is a government owned university that was established under the university act of 1989. North Orissa University campus located in the regions of Baripada is surrounded by lush green forests and wildlife sanctuaries. The university has been granted commission by the Association of Indian Universities under section 2 f. to lend higher education in the tribal regions of northern Orissa. The university's jurisdiction stretches across Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts. Under the university North Orissa there are a total of 80 colleges. These colleges are known to deliver quality education to their students. The governor of Orissa is known to be the Chancellor of this university. The vice-chancellor of North Orissa University is professor S. Nanda. who has been the presiding officer in the recent times. The chairperson of the post-graduate council is Professor Basudeb Sahu. The registrar is Dr. Natabara Panigrahi. The Controller of examinations is Dr. S.N. Satpathy. The comptroller of finance is Mr. Champei Baskey. The professor who is heading the placement cell of this university is Dr. P.K. Satpathy. The person who is heading the refresher courses is Profesor U.B. Mohapatra. The director of D.C.E. is professor S.K. Dutta.
Some of the most reputed colleges, which are affiliated to the North Orissa University are as follows:
- Orissa School of Mining & Engineering, Keonjhar
- Keonjhar Law College, Keonjhar.
- Anandapur Anchalika Training College, Fakirpur, Keonjhar
- Anandapur College, Anandapur, Keonjhar
- Govt. Women's College, Keonjhar Garh, Keonjhar
- Dharanidhar College, Keonjhar Garh, Keonjhar
- Charigarh Mahavidyalaya, Telkoi, Keonjhar
- Mahapat Mahavidyalaya, Janghira, Keonjhar
- Jagannath Mahavidyalaya, Nayagarh, Keonjhar
- Laxmi Narayan Degree College, Pipilia, Keonjhar
- Patteswar Mohavidyalaya, Suakati, Keonjhar
- Udala College, Udala, Mayurbhanj
- Rairangpur College, Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj
