The university was named after the progressive Qing Dynasty governor of Taiwan Liu Mingchuan.

When the government had just moved to Taiwan and the economy was lagging, with an urgent need to nurture business professionals, Dr. Pao founded the school in the interests of national development, at the same time raising awareness of the talents and rights of women and facilitating their contributions to society.

She found Dr. Pao willing to take over Ming Chuan Orphanage, which was later converted into the school of the same name.

In five years following its establishment the school was twice moved and rebuilt, finally being relocated to its present site in the Shihlin District in 1962.

Since MCU began as a commercial college, the original three-year day school consisted of three programs: Banking and Insurance, Accounting and Statistics, and International Trade and Business Administration.

In 1960, Secretarial Science was added and Ming Chuan became part of the national junior college joint entrance examination program.

A five-year program for junior high school graduates was established in the same year and grew to an enrollment of 1400.

Ming Chuan opened its Michigan Campus at Saginaw Valley State University in 2014.

[10] In addition, MCU is responsible for hosting Taiwan's international youth exchange program.

Seniors traditionally give a small gift to their juniors before exams, wishing them success in their midterms and finals.

They have established international education centers in Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and other locations.

[2] International College at MCU is the first institution in Taiwan offering degrees through classes conducted completely in English.