This report describes the status after 5 years of the diverse groups of students who first entered institutions of postsecondary education during the academic year 1989-90. It describes their economic and demographic characteristics, their educational objectives, the types of institutions they attended, their experiences while enrolled, and their persistence and attainment through the spring of 1994. In addition, this report describes the work experiences of these first-time students, both while enrolled and after they left postsecondary education. The data in this report were drawn from the second followup, of the 1990 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study. The study included students who enrolled immediately after high school and those who delayed their postsecondary studies. This report begins with an essay that describes the persistence and attainment of the 1989-90 beginning students in postsecondary education after 5 years. The essay explores persistence and attainment rates from several different perspectives and examines the factors associated with lower rates of completion among nontraditional students. Following the essay is a compendium of tables which provide more detail about persistence and attainment, student characteristics, educational financing, employment experiences, marriage, family formation,, civic participation and graduate education. Three appendices provide additional information on persistence and attainment variables, technical notes and methodology, and a glossary. (Author/JPB)