Founded in 1916 as a Department of Sacramento High School, Sacramento City College is the seventh oldest public community college in California and the oldest institution of higher learning in Sacramento.

In 1922, the citizens of Sacramento organized a junior college district by severing the connections between the college and Sacramento High School. This plan of organization remained in force until 1936 when the college became a part of the Sacramento City Unified School District.

Twenty-eight years later, as a result of a March 17, 1964 election, Sacramento City College separated from the Sacramento City Unified School District to join the newly organized Los Rios Junior College District which assumed the operation of American River College and Sacramento City College. In 1970 the newly renamed Los Rios Community College District opened a third campus, Cosumnes River College.