Simultaneously, Delaware County commissioners were supporting the potential expansion of Pennsylvania State University (PSU) into the area.

Despite the debate over which school would have a presence in Delaware County, Pennsylvania's board of education approved the establishment of DCCC in January 1967.

Under the leadership of DCCC's first president Dr. Douglas F. Libby Jr., classes commenced in September at Ridley Township High School with 307 students enrolled.

Once DCCC had an established board of trustees, a committee was appointed to continue searching for a permanent site for the college.

[5][10][11] By 1968, additional DCCC classes were temporarily being held at the Fair Acres Delaware County Institution District and the Dante School, a former orphanage in Concordville, Pennsylvania.

After delays caused by legal disputes over building a permanent facility in Delaware County, DCCC entered into an agreement of sale with the heirs to the Gideon Stull estate in May 1968.

Additionally, Dr. DeCosmo advocated for improved economic conditions for Delaware County though access to adult basic education, GED preparation and skill training.

To accomplish this, he requested reduced Pell Grant eligibility requirements to make higher education accessible to the increased percentage of Delaware County residents living below the poverty level.

As president, he pushed for updated facilities and technical training at DCCC to advance the college and continue its mission to improve the local community's economy.

Dr. Parker is credited with playing a major role in the development of DCCC's Advanced Technology Center, which was named after him upon his retirement in 2017 (see Campus section below).

All except Chester County Hospital offer all of the following: a bookstore, career and counseling center, an Enrollment Central for student assistance services, disability services, student lounges, study areas and a Learning Commons that offers tutoring and technology support to the DCCC community.

Opened in 1974, it houses DCCC's radio station, baseball and soccer field and basketball and tennis courts.

The Advanced Technology Center is a 32,000 sq ft (3,000 m2) building that houses classrooms and laboratories for DCCC's technical programs.

The campus opened in 2004 with 15 general and computer classrooms, a self-service café and dining area and social services.

It was opened in 2008 and shares 125,000 sq ft (11,600 m2) of space with the Chester County Intermediate Unit's (CCIU) Technical College High School West Grove.

[41] DCCC has dual admissions agreements with several four-year universities in the Philadelphia area that allow students to automatically transfer after completing an associate degree.

DCCC has one of the largest KEYS (Keystone Education Yields Success) programs in the state of Pennsylvania.

It is published four times each semester and features work by current and former students of the Fundamentals of Journalism courses offered at DCCC.

[49] The DCCC athletic teams have been known as the Phantoms since 1967, when students and faculty helped select the school's mascot.

Women's sports include: basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field and volleyball.

[56] Students, student-athletes, faculty and staff are granted access to the fitness center and programs at DCCC's Marple Campus.