Davanagere is known for its higher educational institutes, most of which are run by the Bapuji Educational Association & other institutions. Davanagere has two Dental colleges, three engineering colleges, two medical colleges, one ayurvedic medical college, a fashion design college and a number of other colleges offering courses in arts, commerce and science. The student population is made up of people from different cities and states in India. There are a few foreign students studying at  Davanagere. Davanagere has a big shopping mall well famed all over Karnataka i.e B.S.Channa Basappa and Sons. This is a big garment shop of the city with its branches spread all over the city. Besides mills, various educational institutions Davanagere houses major Cricket and Football Clubs which provides bulk of opportunities to youngsters of this locality. R Vinay Kumar from Davanagere is a famous cricketer who plays for Karnataka's Ranaji Trophy Cricket Team as leading pace-bowler, who also played for Royal Challengers in the first edition of IPL.