Approved by the 1969 Minnesota State Legislature, Dakota County Technical College started in 1970 with 50 students in three programs.

The Rosemount campus houses the majority of the college's instructional programs, which are separated into seven academic departments (see below).

The college is going forward with a 22-acre (8.9 ha) prairie grass and wildflower restoration project on the Rosemount campus that is designed and maintained by faculty and students in the Landscape Horticulture program.

Six two-year colleges in North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan partnered to develop this center.

Headed by a six-member executive board, the Student Senate manages a budget that funds social activities, scholarships and charitable projects.