Dalton State College

The college was founded as Dalton Junior College in July 1963 and opened in September 1967 offering programs designed to provide the first two years of college work for students preparing to transfer to four-year degree granting institutions. 

The addition of a technical division in 1976 enabled the school to serve students wishing to develop work skills at the certificate or associate degree level.

In 1987, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia removed the word "Junior" from the college's name and it became Dalton College.

The University System changed the name to Dalton State College in 1998 and upgraded it to a four-year status. Dalton State began offering its first bachelor's programs that year, all in business and technology.

In 2009, Dalton State opened an extended campus in Ellijay called the Dalton State Gilmer County Center and had over 200 students enrolled for the spring semester. Dalton State also opened its first on-campus residential housing, Dalton State at Wood Valley.

Today, Dalton State College offers baccalaureate degrees in accounting, biology, chemistry, criminal justice, early childhood education, English, history, management, management information systems, marketing systems, mathematics, operations management, social work and technology management. The college also offers 22 associate degree and several certificate programs.