曼彻斯特 University traces its origin to the Roanoke Classical Seminary founded by the United Brethren Church in Roanoke, 印第安纳州iana in 1860. The seminary became North 曼彻斯特 College when it was moved to North 曼彻斯特, 印第安纳州iana in 1889. Representatives of the Church of the Brethren purchased the campus in 1895 and deeded it to four State Districts of the Church in 1902. The number of supporting districts increased and, by 1932, 曼彻斯特 College served the five-state area of 印第安纳州iana, 俄亥俄州, 密歇根, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Rapid growth of the public high school and increasing interest in higher education resulted in a gradual shift of emphasis from an academy and Bible school to a college of liberal arts. The academy was discontinued in 1923.

Mount Morris College in Mount Morris, Illinois, merged with 曼彻斯特 College in 1932. Founded as a Methodist seminary in 1839, Mount Morris had been purchased by representatives of the Church of the Brethren in 1879 and operated under the name of the Rock River Seminary and College Institute until 1884, when the name was changed to Mount Morris College. The merger of Mount Morris College and 曼彻斯特 College came about when the Church of the Brethren decided its educational program would be strengthened by pooling its resources in a smaller number of colleges.

Established in 1948, the Peace Studies Institute and Program in Conflict Resolution at 曼彻斯特 University pioneered as the first undergraduate Peace Studies program in the world. 

In February 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to an overflow audience at 曼彻斯特 on “The Future of Integration.”

2012年7月, 曼彻斯特 College became 曼彻斯特 University, and in August 2012, enrolled its first doctoral class in pharmacy at a second campus in 韦恩堡, 印第安纳州.

2016年5月, 曼彻斯特 University launched the nation's first dedicated master's degree in pharmacogenomics.

The relationship of 曼彻斯特 University with the Church of the Brethren continues. The University accents this relationship and welcomes students of all faiths to its campus.

曼彻斯特 University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (230 S. 拉萨尔,Ste. 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604) since 1932. Learn more about 曼彻斯特’s accreditation for its academic programs 在这里.