Liceo de Cagayan University was founded in 1955 by Atty. Rodolfo N. Pelaez of Cagayan de Oro City and his wife, Elsa Pelaez of Cebu City. The University was established with the primary mission to impart professional education to the youth of Northern Mindanao, especially those who are deserving but are financially challenged. Envisioned to make relevant and quality education accessible to the youth, this institution of higher learning was founded as a catalyst in their total human formation anchored on universal moral values and Christian precepts.