Nantong University was founded in 1912. It originated from the private Nantong Medical Specialized School and Nantong Textile Specialized School founded by Zhang Jian, a famous modern industrialist and educator. In 2004, the former Nantong Medical College, Nantong Institute of Technology and Nantong Normal College merged to form a new Nantong University. In China University Evaluation 2020 of the China Academy of Management Science, Nantong University ranked 114th. In ESI Comprehensive ranking of Chinese universities, it ranked 113th. In Airuishen Alumni Association, it ranked 100th of the ten authoritative universities (Chinese universities) in the world in 2019.
There are 20 schools, one independent college, one affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, School of International Education, and School of Continuing Education in the university. There are 3 postdoctoral research stations of basic medicine ，clinical medicine and information and communication engineering, 3 first-level doctoral programs of basic medicine, clinical medicine, information and communication engineering, 22 first-level master degree programs, and 10 professional master degree programs. 4 disciplines of Clinical medicine, neuroscience and behavioral science, engineering and Pharmacology & Toxicology entered the top 1% of ESI global ranking of disciplines.
