RheinMain University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1971, when the engineering colleges in Geisenheim, Idstein and Rüsselsheim and a design school in Wiesbaden were combined into what was then still called Fachhochschule Wiesbaden. In September 2009, the university changed its name to RheinMain University. In January 2013, the Geisenheim faculty became a university of its own. The study locations in Wiesbaden and Rüsselsheim are now called RheinMain University of Applied Sciences Wiesbaden Rüsselsheim.

After the merging of formerly 14 organizational units and the parting of Geisenheim, Hochschule RheinMain now has five faculties: The four Faculties of Architecture and Civil Engineering, of Design – Computer Science – Media, of Applied Social Sciences and Wiesbaden Business School are located in Wiesbaden, the Faculty of Engineering is situated in nearby Rüsselsheim.

All in all, around 10,000 students study at RheinMain University of Applied Sciences in over 40 degree programs, which include part-time, cooperative, distance learning and 16 master's programs. The transition to bachelor's and master's programs is completed.

RheinMain University has about 650 employees, around 200 of whom are professors. The university's leadership (the president, vice-presidents and the chancellor) is located in Wiesbaden, and so are the central administrative offices.