The anticipated growth of nontraditional education programs in higher education and the recognized need to carefully evaluate the potential economic impact of such programs inspired this study to: (1) evaluate the economics of five varied nontraditional institutions; (2) assist each of the traditional and nontraditional institutions participating in the study to enhance their own planning capabilities; (3) increase the body of knowledge on the economics of nontraditional education; and (4) report planning approaches, thereby assisting other institutions that may be planning the development of such programs. The five programs examined are: Florida International University's external degree program, Loretto Heights College (Colorado) University Without Walls, the Urban Regional Learning Center, Central Michigan University's Institute for Personal and Career Development, and Empire State College (New York). The programs are outlined and described, and data are presented in tables on program applicants for the past several years, staff at all program levels, staff time allocation (admission, assessment, advising, institutional development, and administration), and program revenues and expenses at each program level for recent years. In a final chapter the overall results of the economic study are briefly outlined. (MSE)