The needs and characteristics of urban students at 10 urban U.S. colleges and universities were surveyed in 1983. Attention was directed to students' personal characteristics and educational and financial background, why students select and attend the institutions, and how students view programs and services. The campuses were primarily nonresidential schools representing the public and private sectors, as well as two- and four-year institutions. The institutions mainly serve local residents, especially part-time, adult, and working students. Nearly two-thirds of the students did not enroll directly after high school; almost 30 percent were transfer students. The availability of a specific course of study was a major factor in college selection. Half of the students who worked more than 21 hours per week were also enrolled full-time. Students were generally dissatisfied with how the institution communicated information about programs and services, and the schools lacked precise information on their students for planning programs and services. Appendices include: brief profiles of the 10 institutions, the survey form, and a guide for planning and administering the questionnaire, including information on the research design, a sample letter, and procedures for administering questionnaires to classes and for coding and analyzing the data. (SW)