The article is devoted to the analysis of trust as a social phenomenon and sociological problem of higher education. It examines the appearance and development of the sociology of trust. The origin of this branch of sociological knowledge in the article is determined by the period of the late 1960s and is associated with the name of N. Luhman. It is shown that the modern period of sociology of trust covers 2000-2010-ies. The works of F. Fukuyama, P. Sztompka, B. Misztal, A. Seligman are characterized as the most important works of this period. It is emphasized that in the framework of this period there is interest in the problem of trust in Russia in the Levada-Center’s researchers works. It is concluded that the main result of sociological studies of trust in foreign and Russian sociology conducted over the past three decades was the consideration of this social phenomenon as an essential characteristic of almost all spheres and types of interpersonal and social relations that makes up the «essence» of social life. One of these areas was the higher school where the factor of trust has become a key in understanding its complex processes, scientific interpretations and real practices. The authors prove that at the present stage of the study of trust in higher education holistic, systemic analysis based on the methodology of interdisciplinary research, in which the sociological approach can perform an integrating role, is needed. The article argues that trust in Russian higher education should be researched as a characteristic and principle of relations between elements of its system, educational communities and their participants, not only within the framework of the institutional and systemic consideration of higher education, but also its moral and professional characteristics. This leads to the conclusion that it becomes necessary to develop a conception of trust in higher education answering expected and projected changes in Russian society in new conditions. The essence of the conception, according to the authors, is to analyze the directions, ways and mechanisms of mobilization of trust resources in higher education as a non-material asset of its development in demand.