The institution was founded as The American College of Life Underwriters in 1927 by Solomon S. Huebner of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

It was his vision for a college-level professional education program for insurance agents that led to the creation of The American College.

When the institution began, programs focused exclusively on providing education to life insurance professionals.

The Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation was the first credential offered by The College.

[5] In May 2019, The American College moved its operational headquarters to King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.