Ancilla College, under the sponsorship of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, was organized as a 2-year SCHOOL specializing in teacher training in l937. Before that, the College was an extension of De Paul University of Chicago. The College, as well as several other PHJC sponsored entities, is located on the grounds of the PHJC Ministry Center in Donaldson, Indiana. In 1966 the College was enlarged and its programs were also expanded to admit area students who were interested in pursuing higher education. Ancilla has also combined various career preparation programs with its liberal arts orientation. It now serves traditional and non-traditional students primarily from a 7 county area in northern Indiana and seeks to meet needs of the community, business, and industry. As the College continues to expand, it reaches out further to provide higher education to interested persons by offering classes at off-campus locations in the surrounding areas. Ancilla is the only accredited private, nonprofit 2-year college in Indiana.

The school is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Ancilla College is incorporated in the state of Indiana and chartered to grant the Associate of Arts Degree (AA), the Associate of Science Degree (AS), and the Associate of Liberal Studies Degree (ALS). Ancilla College has been approved for attendance by veterans under provisions of the G.I. Bill, is authorized to enroll non-immigrant alien students and is eligible to participate in various federal and state financial aid programs.

Ancilla is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA). Student-athletes have the opportunity to compete in women’s and men’s basketball, men’s baseball, women’s softball, men’s golf and women's volleyball.