Located in Tucson, Chaparral College was founded in 1972 as a career college by A. Lauren Rhude as a predecessor to the Rockland Institute. In 1994 Chaparral received the status of Junior College by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and began awarding its first academic degree, an Associate of Science degree.

Today Chaparral offers programs ranging from certificates to bachelor's degrees in Accounting, Business Administration, Criminal Justice Computer Networking, Computer Repair, Legal Office Administration, and Office Administration.

The College is a located in Pima County, and has a total enrollment of about 380.