The college was founded in 1965 with initial classes held in the Naval Reserve Building in Helena, moving in 1968 to the current campus.

[4] In 1996 the college acquired the Rice Belt Technical Institute in DeWitt from the state.

[5] In 1993 the college received the Pillow-Thompson House in downtown Helena as a historic donation.

The house was designed by George Barber and is noted for its Queen Anne architecture.

[7] Following the donation, the home was renovated to its original style and opened to the public in 1997.