Chipola College was founded in 1947 and operated for one year as a private educational institution.
Florida's Minimum Foundation Law, passed in 1947, included provisions for public support of colleges. Under the provisions of this law, a college district consisting of Jackson, Calhoun, and Washington Counties was approved to operate as a public institution with financial support from the three counties and the State of Florida. The State Board of Education granted this approval, and Chipola Junior College became a public institution effective September 1, 1948.
The original district of Calhoun, Jackson and Washington Counties was expanded later to include Holmes and Liberty Counties.