There are 17 schools and three arts colleges in Mannargudi. The Findlay Higher Secondary School (formerly Findlay College), founded by the Wesleyan Mission in 1845, is the oldest educational institution in the town.Hemingway, p. 166 Originally started as a secondary school, the college was upgraded to a high school and a college in 1883. It was affiliated to the Madras University in 1898. There are two engineering colleges and two polytechnic colleges in the town. The Mannai Rajagopalaswami Government Arts College, founded in 1971,Association of Indian Universities 1995, p. 162 and the Sengamala Thayar Educational Trust Women's College are the two colleges in the town.
