The University of Vale of Paraíba – Univap, recognized by MEC (Education's Ministry) in 1992, is a non-profit community institution of education, research and extension. Univap's history began in 1954, with the creation of the Faculty of Law of Vale of Paraíba.

Afterwards, other Faculties emerged as a result of the needs of the region, mainly in São José dos Campos, which was experiencing rapid growth with the arrival of numerous industries. Nowadays, the University has more than 30 undergraduate courses in different areas of knowledge, administered by the Faculties of Law, Health Sciences, Engineering, Architecture and Urbanism, Education and Arts,  Applied Social Sciences and Communication. As a University, it also offers Continuing Education and Stricto Sensu Graduate Studies, with four Master's and three Doctoral programs.