In 1987-88, a study was conducted at Piedmont Virginia Community College to determine between-quarter retention rates for various student groups and to compare the characteristics of returning and non-returning students. The study used end-of-quarter data to determine retention rates based on headcount and full-time equivalency. Rates were also calculated by full-/part-time status, freshman/sophomore status, academic program, degree goal, sex, race, age, and place of residence. Study findings, based on data for winter and spring 1983-84 through 1987-88, included the following: (1) 52.1% of the full- and part-time students enrolled in fall 1987 returned and completed the winter quarter; (2) winter-to-spring retention rates were 88.1% for full-time students and 48.6% for part-time students; (3) sophomores returned at a slightly higher rate than freshmen (i.e., 69.4% vs. 65.5% for fall-to-winter 1987-88); (4) retention of full-time, unclassified students was higher in 1987-88 than in 1986-87; (5) retention rates for full-time black students were 15% to 20% lower than those for full-time white students; (6) place of residence did not affect retention; (7) continued enrollment among part-time students was typically correlated with enrollment in a degree program and studying on campus during the day; and (8) retention rates for programs leading to Associate of Arts degrees were similar to those for Associate of Applied Science degree programs. (AAZC)