It is part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system and was created by an act of the Board of Higher Education in 1968 in response to demands from the Hispanic/Puerto Rican community, which was urging for the establishment of a college to serve the people of the South Bronx.

Several years later, the college moved to a larger site nearby at 149th Street and Grand Concourse.

It has been showcasing theater, dance and music artists for 33 years, with the mission "to be a cultural force in the Bronx and throughout the New York metropolitan area."

[3] The campus also features a $1.05 million-dollar live recording studio, which is used by the media design programs.

In 2020, Hostos Athletics announced their entry into the Esports league of the NJCAA starting with the 2020-2021 season.