The first college in Webster City was the Webster City College of Business that was opened in 1899 by Prof. J. F. Robinson. It was located on the second floor of the business at 602 Second Second. Miss Emma Robinson, his daughter, was the only other teacher. The college operated during 1899 and 1900. Principal courses offered were commercial subjects.

Webster City Business College was the name of the second college in Webster City. It was opened in 1914 by Prof. Barger, who also operated business colleges in Waterloo, Boone, and Des Moines. It offered accounting and secretarial courses. The first year enrollment numbered 40 students. About 100 students enrolled in 1915. This college was held on the third floor of the Syndicate Building at 507-509 Second Street. The first floor of the building housed the J. S. Bateman Grocery, the William Hahne Shoe Store, and the American Express office. The second floor housed apartments and offices. Before the starting of the school, the third floor was home to the Harry Keating Cigar Factory. The college tuition was $100 per year. The 1914 city directory lists E. W. Shilling as manager. Robert Maxon was a student the first year, but become a teacher the second year. Other students attending this college were Cliff Segar, Ben Segar, George Alexander, Carl Ainslie, Ed Miller, Pearl Paine, Margaret LeRoy, Melbourne Boughton, Bessie Segar, Myron Paine, Ellen Schaffer, Hazel Russell, and William Yungclas.

Webster City Junior College was the third college. It was founded in 1926 and was housed for a time in the Central Building. After the high school vacated the Lincoln Building, the college moved in taking over the entire building. The highest enrollment reached was about 180 students. The two year program was a transfer program to four year colleges. Clark Mollenhoff was a graduate of Webster City Junior College before transferring to Drake University. Mr. Mollenhoff gave the final graduation address of the Junior College in 1965. Control of the college was transferred to the Iowa Central Community College board in 1966, which operated campuses at Fort Dodge, Eagle Grove, and Webster City. The largest enrollment of the community college was about 240 students. The college moved into the new campus at Beach and Ohio Streets in 1967. This campus in pictured as it appeared in 1968.