A study followed freshman students entering Indiana University in 1971, 1973, and 1974 to establish the rate and variables related to dropping out of the university. Students were labeled academic drops if they were achieving below a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) at the time of withdrawal, and nonacademic drops if not below 2.0. Students entering in fall were much more persistent than spring entrants. Males were slightly more persistent than females. The largest number of dropouts was in the nonacademic category, and this group increased in percentage each year. Females, out-of-state students, non-urban residents, and student with non-alumni parents were most likely to be among the dropouts. Persisters and nonacademic dropouts were at similar levels on academic talent indicators (SAT and high school rank), but academic dropouts tended to be lower on these indicators than did persisters or nonacademic dropouts. Students in the physical sciences were more likely to drop out than students in other majors; humanities students were a close second in dropout rate. Academic dropouts appeared to be working below their potential, in that their GPAs were somewhat below GPAs predicted from SAT and high school ranks. Persisters and nonacademic dropouts achieved very near their predicted level. A question arises from these findings: Why do so many students who are not in academic trouble leave the university? (Author/MSE)