The institution, established in 1938 by the Dearborn Fordson Public Schools Board of Education,[1][7] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

It adopted the name Dearborn Junior College in 1946, then Henry Ford Community College (HFCC) in 1952, after the Henry Ford Trade School which closed and whose assets were transferred to the Dearborn School Board of Education.

[9] In the most recent academic year, Henry Ford enrolled more than 17,000 students (13,000 per semester)[4] and had nearly 1,000 employees, including full-time and part-time.

The college also has a Center for Lifelong Learning which offers non-credit courses for personal enrichment or professional development.

[14] The college also guarantees to refund all tuition increases to any student who graduates within four years of starting a program.