It was founded in 1965 and offers Associate of Applied Science degrees in 8 disciplines and technical certificate programs in several others.

Manhattan Area Technical College is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.

The college's primary service area includes Geary, Riley, Clay, Marshall, Dickinson, and Pottawatomie Counties.

Originally called Manhattan Area Vocational Technical School, MATC was established in 1965 by statute under the Kansas Board of Education.

In 1996, Kansas Governor Bill Graves signed into law Kansas House Bill 2606, which designated the school Manhattan Area Technical College.