Palm Beach Atlantic University was founded in 1968 as a coeducational Christian liberal arts university. The University was named for its location in the Palm Beaches and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. The first classes were held in the fall of 1968 with 110 enrolled. PBA held its first graduation in the spring of 1972 and later that year received initial accreditation from the regional accrediting association.

Classes were first held at 1101 South Olive Avenue in downtown West Palm Beach in the former facilities of the First Baptist Church.

During the ensuing years, the historic auditorium building has served many different roles for the University. Today, the building is undergoing renovation to serve as a portion of the Warren Library. The University has a comprehensive campus master plan that incorporates approximately 27 acres of land from the Intracoastal Waterway west along Okeechobee Boulevard to Dixie Highway, south to Jefferson Street, and back east to the waterway. The first building completed was the Lassiter Student Center, which was occupied in 1983. In addition, the University has purchased nearly 100 acres just minutes from campus for the construction of an outdoor athletic complex.