The grounds of Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University were originally part of Suan Sunandha Palace, a royal residence within the Dusit Palace complex. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) commissioned its construction as a recreational area to replace his travels to the provinces. He envisioned it as a forest-like garden, and therefore ordered the planting of various rare and valuable flowering and fruit trees. The garden's name is derived from the name of Indra's garden in the Tavatimsa heaven, known as "Sunandha Uthayan," and from the name of his beloved consort, Queen Sunandha Kumaree Ratana, who died in a boat accident while traveling to Bang Pa-in Palace in Ayutthaya. Furthermore, the King also ordered the construction of a palace for his female members of the royal family, but he passed away before its completion.

Upon the accession of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), it was considered that the inner royal quarters were overcrowded and unsuitable for royal residence. Therefore, additional residences and buildings were constructed in Suan Sunandha to accommodate royal consorts, consorts of royal lineage, and princesses of King Rama V, totaling 32 residences, along with housing for attendants. Her Royal Highness Princess Saovabha Phongsri resided at Sai Suddhanopadol Residence (Building 27) from 1924 to 1929. During that time, many noble families brought their daughters and granddaughters to be under her patronage. Consequently, she established "Niphakarn School" within Suan Sunandha to provide formal education, etiquette training, and domestic skills suitable for refined women of that era.

In 1932, following the Siamese Revolution, members of the royal family residing in Suan Sunandha gradually left due to political uncertainties. As a result, the area fell into neglect and deterioration. Later, during the reign of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII), the regency council recognized that the land was unused and proposed utilizing it for governmental purposes. Ultimately, it was resolved that the area should serve educational purposes under the Ministry of Education. The institution was established and named "Suan Sunandha Wittayalai School" in honor of its historical significance.

On May 17, 1937, the institution began offering a Primary Teacher Certificate program. It was later elevated to "Suan Sunandha Teachers College" in 1975 under the Teachers College Act. Bachelor's degree programs in Education were introduced thereafter. In 1992, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great graciously granted the name "Rajabhat Institute" to teacher training institutions nationwide, along with a royal emblem. Following the Rajabhat Institute Act of 1995, the institution became "Suan Sunandha Rajabhat Institute." With the enactment of the Rajabhat University Act in 2004, the institution was officially upgraded to "Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University," which it remains to this day.

On Sunday, November 22, 2020, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University was graciously granted a land title deed by His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn. This royal benevolence was bestowed to support the development of education and academic services for society, marking a significant historical milestone and a great honor for the university.