Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972, the National Center for Education Statistics undertook a study of dropouts in higher education. Specifically, the study was designed to discover: (1) to what extent students withdraw from institutions of higher education before completion, and how these rates might vary according to sex, race, and socioeconomic status; (2) the reasons for withdawal, and any patterns among them; (3) the variables directly or indirectly associated with withdrawal; and (4) what happens to those who withdraw. Data tables and analyses are included, as is a list of references. (MSE)