Mindanao State University (MSU) was established on September 1, 1961 through RA 1387, as amended, was the brain child of the late Senator Domocao A.  Alonto, as one of the government’s responses to the so-called “Mindanao Problem”.

The original mission of the university was anchored on instruction, research and extension. The 1954 Congressional Committee conceptualized it as a social laboratory for national integration.

For the main campus in Marawi City starting with 282 students and  12 faculty members in its pioneering classes in 1962, it has grown to a multi-campus supra-regional university system, serving over 69,000 students in all levels with nearly 3,100 faculty members.

The locales  of the University campuses are vibrant, which makes Mindanao State University System (MSUS) a distinctive university and special place for any students. It is also the only university directly charged by the government to advance the cause of national unity and actively pursue integration through education.

Today, MSU has various units in strategic areas which cut  across the Mindanao regions. From a one campus university in Marawi City. MSU has grown to a multi-campus university of eight autonomous campuses, which include: MSU-Main in Marawi City, MSU-IIT in Iligan City, MSU-TCTO in Tawi-Tawi, MSU-Naawan in Misamis Oriental, MSU-Maguindanao, MSU-General Santos, MSU-Sulu in Jolo and MSU Buug in Zamboanga Sibugay.

In addition, three (3) former CHED- Supervised Institutions (CSIS) of higher learning are now considered integrated campuses into the MSU System, namely: Lanao National College of Arts and Trade (LNCAT), Lanao Norte Agricultural College (LNAC) and Maigo School of Arts and Trade (MSAT).