Information about commuting students in higher education is enigmatic. This literature review indicates that while estimates of the numbers of commuting students swell, real growth seems to be occuring primarily in the number of students who live off campus, not those living with parents. Expected costs saving is the prime reason that most commuters give for commuting; yet, the true difference in costs between commuters and residents for attendance at the same type of institution is not large. Psychological differences between commuters and residents often have been asserted but seldom established, although different background characteristics have been shown statistically. For commuters, the expereince of college differs from that of the resident student. The pressures of time from commuting and working (typically) encourage less measured change in nonintellectual attributes. (Author/MJM)