The University of Cincinnati resigned its membership February 18, 1953, with an effective date of June 1, 1953. The MAC added the University of Toledo (1950), Kent State University (1951), and Bowling Green State University (1952). Miami University and Western Michigan University took the place of those charter members for the 1948 season. Wayne University left after the first year. The five charter members of the Mid-American Conference were Ohio University, Butler University, the University of Cincinnati, Wayne University (now Wayne State University), and Western Reserve University, one of the predecessors to today's Case Western Reserve University.

Locations of the full members of the Mid-American Conference.