The Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS) study followed a group of students who began their postsecondary education in the 1989-90 academic year. The follow-up in the spring of 1992 explored the persistence and degree attainment of these beginners (approximately 10,600 students). As expected, many initially enrolled for programs of less than 4 years were no longer enrolled, but about two-thirds of beginners in four-year institutions were still enrolled. First-year dropout rates were higher in public four-year institutions than in private institutions. Females were less likely than males to leave postsecondary education in the first year. Asians were most likely to be still enrolled, at 63 percent, while Whites remained enrolled at 41 percent. Seven tables present information on the persistence and attainment for public and private college students in two-year, less than two-year, and four-year schools that include for-profit and not-for-profit schools. Technical notes discuss sampling and weighting adjustments. (SLD)