King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) was officially established by Royal Decree on 5 Jumada I, 1383 H. (23 September 1963). The first students were admitted a year later, on 23 September 1964, when 67 young men enrolled in what was then the College of Petroleum and Minerals (CPM). Since that time, the University enrollment has grown to more than 8000 students (including those in the PREP program).

Several significant events have marked the University's growth. In 1971, at the first graduation ceremony, four men received their baccalaureate degrees in engineering. In 1975, the College of Petroleum and Minerals became the University of Petroleum and Minerals, a change both in name and academic status. In 1986, the University was renamed: The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals.