Data gathered from nearly 95 percent of America's higher education institutions report on unusual characteristics, innovative programs, and other features of the colleges for the year of 1979 unless specified as fall 1980. All information is given in list form. The word "colleges" is used to mean all undergraduate degree-granting institutions. Sections include: institutions offering undergraduate work; colleges by type and degrees awarded; undergraduate enrollment characteristics; colleges reporting special programs; campus life characteristics; admissions information; entrance difficulty data; expenses; financial aids; and colleges reporting unusual majors. Interesting features reported include such areas as: sports scholarships, merit scholarships, unusual majors, skill-building programs, open admissions, coed housing, study abroad, early decision, and weekend degrees. A glossary is included. (LC)