The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is a comprehensive institution of higher learning in the Ilocos region, which was establish in 06 January 1978 by Presidential Decree (PD) 1279 and named after the father of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. The decree merge two state colleges in the province of Ilocos Norte, the then Mariano Marcos Memorial College of Science and Technology (MMMCST) with campuses in Batac, Currimao, Paoay and Dingras, and the Northern Luzon State College (NLSC) in Laoag City. It also transferred the college departments of the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades (INCAT) in Loag City and Ilocos Norte Agricultural College (INAC) in Pasuquin.

The university is relatively young compared to other state universities in the Philippines. However, MMSU’s root anchored deep, its foundation is strong, and its beginnings all proven historical turning points as far back as the early 1900’s.

To date, the university has ten academic units: Graduate School, College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development, College of Aquatic Science and Applied Technology, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, Economics and Accountancy, College of Engineering, College of Health Sciences, College of Industrial Technology, College of Teacher Education and College of Law.