It is the only university in the Province of Bukidnon that carries the name of Bukidnon in its official name. History
Originally known as Bukidnon Provincial High School, Bukidnon State College started as a two-year secondary school in 1924. Upon the authority of the Director of Education, William H. Pickell, who was an American school superintendent for Bukidnon, established the school. It was first set up to train elementary school teachers for the provinces of Northern Mindanao and the neighboring regions. When it was renamed Bukidnon Normal School in 1929, it offered a four year secondary normal curriculum, becoming one of five full-fledged secondary normal schools in the country. The student population was 70 for the entire four-year secondary course. Although the curriculum is American in orientation, the majority of the students are native inhabitants of Malaybalay. The school was closed on December 9, 1941 and did not reopen after World War II. It was reactivated on September 1, 1945 but since its facilities were completely damaged, classes were held in army tents at the provincial capital grounds and in private homes. Rehabilitation work for the school’s facilities lasted until the 1950s using the money from the war damage claims. In 1952-1953, the secondary normal curriculum was phased out giving way to a two-year special education curriculum. The gradual elimination of the secondary education ended in 1956 with the full implementation of the two-year collegiate course. The first batch, comprising nine students, graduated the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in March 1957. In the same year, the two-year special curriculum was phased out and the school gained the status of a degree-granting institution. In the same year, a kindergarten school was also established.
