Six student and four potential student populations were sampled to determine what, how, when, and where suburban community college students and potential students would like to learn, and to relate learning preferences to sex, age, education, occupation, and the 10 groups surveyed. A total of 952 community college student responses were obtained, and 2,640 responses were given by potential students. For comparison with respondents, a telephone survey of a random sample of nonresponding residents was conducted. Data were analyzed separately for each sample group and collectively for all respondents. Results of the study included the following: (1) potential students preferred these learning goals: developing or improving job skills, transferring to a senior college, personal enjoyment or satisfaction, and improving self-understanding; (2) about three-fourths of the students and potential students were interested in learning by attending scheduled classes; two-thirds of the respondents also expressed interest in nontraditional approaches to learning; and a majority of both student groups were willing to meet general education requirements by a "courseless" approach; (3) both groups of students preferred to learn at their own convenience; and (4) three-fourths of the respondents preferred to learn on the college campus, but almost half expressed interest in learning at home or in local public-school buildings. General institutional recommendations are made. (DB)