[3] Modesto Junior College can trace its roots to the decision by the California State Legislature in 1907 to authorize high schools to create junior colleges[4] what were termed "postgraduate courses of study" similar to the courses offered in just the first two years of university studies.

[5] Shortly after the decision by the legislature, Fresno City College was formed 96 miles south of Modesto.

The college will offer a Bachelor of Science degree in respiratory care starting in 2017.

MJC East is 58.3 arces and MJC West is 167.1 acres – between both campuses, there are 6 large scale agricultural units, 7 (agriculture student) housing units, 74 buildings, 370 rooms including 15 athletic areas, 104 classrooms, 36 common use areas, 21 computer labs, 12 conference rooms, 99 lab classrooms, 16 lectures halls and 10 performance rooms.

[8] MJC is also home to an agricultural internship program in which students are given residence on West Campus.