In 1923, Pennsylvania State College (not yet a university) established a branch school in Scranton, offering evening technical institute programs.

The school was renamed the Scranton Center in 1951 and became part of the General Extension division of the Penn State.

The school left its first home at the Longfellow School Annex in Scranton in June 1968 and moved to the present site which was purchased with money raised through contributions from private citizens and local industries.

The Nittany Lions are a member of the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC).

Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, softball and volleyball.