While informal coordination among private colleges had been occurring for years, it was in 1948 that 14 institutions came together formally and founded the Minnesota Private College Council. Their intent was simple: to maintain the viability of a healthy private college sector in Minnesota. To that end the Council’s mission is to serve members' shared needs and advocate for public policy that:

- Meets the educational needs of students
- Enhances private higher education
- Strengthens Minnesota's economic and civic fabric