The College Development Council (CDC) has been established as per UGC norms, provisions of KSU act and statutes. It is effectively functioning right from the inception of Kuvempu University and is engaged in spearheading the cause of higher education in colleges coming under its jurisdiction. In the beginning, colleges coming under the three revenue districts, namely, Shivamogga, Chitradurga, and Chickmagalur were covered by the Kuvempu University and thereafter when Davanagere district came into existence, the jurisdiction of Kuvempu University spread over to four revenue districts areas. After the establishment of Davanagere University in the year 2007. The jurisdiction of Kuvempu University is confined only to Shivamogga and Chikmagalur districts. Presently, 99 colleges are offering graduate programs and 18 among them offering postgraduate programs. Out of the 99 colleges, three are constituent, one is under direct administration of the University and the remaining are affiliated colleges. Two colleges namely, Sahyadri Science College, Shivamogga and LB & SBS College, Sagar have attained the autonomous status.

From among the colleges affiliated to the University, 17 are permanently affiliated, of which some have been recognized as the Colleges with Potential for Excellence (CPE).