Taft Union High School (TUHS) District was formed in July 1920, with the expectation that a junior college would shortly follow.

On August 30, 1922, the TUHS Board voted to create Taft Junior College, with the first classes being held on the grounds of the high school.

[8] During the Second World War Taft hosted a training school for the United States Army Air Corps at Gardner Field.

On July 1 preliminary plans for the new campus were approved and the institution officially changed its name to Taft College.

In March 2004 voters approved a $39.8 million bond to finance renovation of existing college facilities and expand into new structures.

[18] Taft College focuses on preparing students for career advancement in their current field or for further study at four-year institutions.

[23] "The Children's Center is the largest single-site child care facility in the California Community College system.

[26][Note 1] The vast majority of students commute to school, but about 200 live on-campus in two residence halls.

The college sponsors a student literary magazine, A Sharp Piece of Awesome, and a newspaper, Black Gold.