Characteristics of Blacks, four Hispanic groups, and low/high socioeconomic status Whites are examined with attention to their access to higher education. The data source is the first followup of 1980 high school seniors from the "High School and Beyond" (HS&B) survey. The four Hispanic groups are Mexican Americans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, and other Latins. Profiles of each group are presented initially, after which attention is directed to: sex differences, within subgroupings, for high school and college activities; a comparison of two- and four-year students; students who attended college but transferred or withdrew; high-ability students as measured by 1980 HS&B achievement test; and sex differences among Black students. Students who indicated that they had applied to college in their senior year of high school but were not enrolled 2 years later are compared to students who did not apply to college, and to students who were attending college 2 years after high school. Data are included on: percentages of 1980 high school seniors who took more than 1 year of college courses, by subject area and sex; percentages majoring in technical fields in college; differences between groups in social class in regard to high school achievement; years of high school mathematics and science; and high school and college grade point average. (SW)