This article investigates the perceived level of trust among universities in Azerbaijan, analyzing responses from both managers and academic staff. Utilizing a Likert scale, the study reveals that both stakeholder groups perceive the level of trust to be within the “middle” to “high” range, with academic staff generally attributing a higher level of trust compared to managers. Statistical analyses, including the Kruskal-Wallis test, indicate no significant differences between the two groups. Open-ended questions provide deeper insights into the nature of trust, with managers highlighting positive aspects of cooperation and academic staff noting occasional disruptions and limited information sharing. To enhance the nuanced understanding of trust in inter-university relations, this article proposes the application of fuzzy logic. Fuzzy logic accommodates the complexity and variability observed in qualitative responses, offering a more flexible representation of trust levels. Incorporating fuzzy logic allows for a more nuanced analysis, capturing the intricacies of trust in the academic context. The study thus contributes to the ongoing discourse on trust in inter-institutional relationships by offering a comprehensive examination that combines quantitative and qualitative insights, emphasizing the need for a flexible and adaptive approach to understanding trust dynamics among universities.