Lanzhou University of Finance and economics was founded in 1952 as the Administrative Cadre School of Gansu Provincial People's government; in 1958, it was upgraded to Gansu University of Finance and economics, under the leadership of Gansu Provincial People's government, implementing undergraduate education; in 1981, Lanzhou University of Commerce was established, under the leadership of the former Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of domestic trade; in 1998, it implemented the management system of central and local co construction, with Gansu as the main body; in 1981, it was established under the leadership of the former Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of domestic trade In 2015, it was renamed Lanzhou University of Finance and economics; in 2018, it was added as a doctoral degree awarding unit.