They planned to provide for education of African-American students, who were excluded from the segregated university system of Texas.

On January 9, 1894, Texas College was founded by a group of ministers affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, a black denomination.

They planned a full, co-educational college to serve people in eastern Texas.

The college today is open to all individuals without discrimination on the grounds of national origin, race, religion, or sex.

Texas College offers bachelor's degree programs in biology, business administration, criminal justice, computer science, English, interdisciplinary studies (teacher certification), mathematics, music, liberal studies, religion, social work and sociology.

In 2018, the Texas College football team joined the SAC as an associate member.

Texas College constructed a new residence hall, The Living and Learning Center (LLC), that opened in 2016.