The school was founded in 1958 in Shenyang as the Shenyang Institute of Light Industry (Chinese: 沈阳轻工业学院). In 1970, the institute moved to Dalian and renamed to the Dalian Institute of Light Industry (Chinese: 大连轻工业学院). In 2006, previously holding the college status, the institute received its university status and renamed to Dalian Polytechnic University.