Cyrus Nutt graduated from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. He taught Greek and Latin at Indiana Asbury. In 1843 Nutt left the university to enter the pastoral ministry but returned as professor of Greek language and literature from 1846 to 1849. In 1849 he again resigned to become president of Fort Wayne Female College and then of Whitewater College. In 1857 he came back to Indiana Asbury as professor of mathematics and vice president, serving as acting president the following year. In 1860 he became president of Indiana University.