The college was established in 1961 by the Florida Legislature due to the efforts of Lake and Sumter county citizens. In 1962 it began operating under the state community college system, and classes began September 5th of that year in temporary facilities. On May 18, 1964, ground-breaking began for the college's permanent Leesburg campus. The Sumter campus opened its facilities in 1995, while the South Lake campus opened in 1999.

Academics
Lake-Sumter Community College is unique in its study options. There’s never a reason to feel alone in your studies either, since there are academic support services like Extensive Undergraduate Evening or Early Morning Classes, Learning Center, Reduced Course Load, Remedial Instruction, Study Skills Assistance, Tutoring and Writing Center. Moreover, when any student is looking for some counseling or other types of support, Adult (re-entering) student services, Career Counseling, Employment Service, Financial Aid Counseling, Freshman Orientation Program, Personal Counseling, Placement Service, Veterans Counselor and Women’s Services can help. That is, the university has a Distance Learning, Dual Enrollment of High School Students, Independent Study, Internships and Liberal Arts/Career Combination.

The College offers distance learning courses or programs (online or partially online) during normal term periods. Percent of courses taught as online courses: 5%, Percent of courses taught as blended (online and offline): 25% and Percent of courses taught face-to-face: 70%.

Lake-Sumter Community College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Applied Science and Associate in Science degrees, along with vocational certificates and technology diplomas. The college also offers a 2+2 program, allowing graduates to continue their studies at the University of Central Florida, St. Leo University and National-Louis University.

Lake-Sumter Community College also has a partnership with the University of Central Florida titled DirectConnect to UCF. This partnership gives guaranteed admission into UCF to all LSCC graduates with an AA or AS degree. UCF also offers pre-admission academic advising, admissions advising, and financial aid advising for all LSCC students who sign up for DirectConnect to UCF. This partnership is the way that UCF will continue to honor its commitment to offer University access to central Florida residents.

Financial Aid
Lake–Sumter Community College believes no student should be denied a college education due to the lack of financial aid. The Office of Financial Assistance at LSCC and LSCC Foundation make available to eligible students a variety of scholarships, grants, work opportunities, and loans. Although students and their parents are expected to make every effort to meet the cost of education, many students do qualify for some form of financial aid and are encouraged to apply for aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the LSCC Office of Financial Assistance.