Founded in 1940, Riverland offers educational programs and courses to over 4,900 students annually through traditional, hybrid, and online delivery systems.

According to the “Selected Report on Austin Junior College Prepared for Minnesota Junior College Board dated December 1963”, “The Austin Area Vocational-Technical School was established in Austin, Minnesota as a part of the public school system in 1951 and at present (Dec. 1963) provides post high school training to an enrollment of about 250 in: Carpentry, Farm Equipment Mechanics, Welding, Machine Shop (tool & die), Automotive Mechanics, Auto Body Rebuilding, Industrial Electronics, Practical Nursing, and Cosmetology (beauty school).” Ruben Meland, college dean and president, wrote in his memoirs, “In June 1966, we moved our offices into the new administration wing and we opened for classes September 22, 1966, (our 26th year) with about 850 students and a faculty of 40.

The new college campus was officially dedicated on January 29, 1967.” According to “A Brief History of the MN AVTI System and Directors”, “Albert Lea was tentatively approved by the State Board of Education on September 30, 1968.

Owatonna campus located on the beautiful grounds of the State School.” An undated document created for the Mower County Historical Society states, “During February of 1972 the move from the various sites started and the total moving of all programs to the new Austin Area Vocational-Technical School were completed in March of 1972.

Austin Community College (established in 1940 as Austin Junior College), Riverland Technical College–Austin (established in 1951 as Austin Area Vocational School) and Owatonna campuses, and South Central Technical College–Albert Lea (established in 1968 as Albert Lea Technical Education Center) campuses merged to form Riverland Community College.” According to a March 22, 2003, Owatonna People’s Press article, “January 14, 2002 was the first day classes were held at Owatonna College and University Center.