During 1975 questionnaires requesting the retention rates of both minority students and the total student population were sent to 200 engineering colleges which had the largest minority enrollments in 1974. Only 30 schools responded with useful information. Another lengthier questionnaire was sent to 71 of the original 200 schools requesting the opinions of those most responsible for minority programs, information about programs and services, and statistical data. Of these, 31 schools responded. Also visits were made to 29 engineering campuses with active programs to increase minority student enrollment. Some findings were that insufficient preparation in mathematics and the physical sciences, inadequate motivation toward engineering as a career choice, lack of adequate financial resources, and absence of self-confidence were the most common reasons for attrition among minority engineering students; there was a need for larger numbers of Hispanic faculty and staff at engineering colleges where Hispanics number about half of the total population; and the amount of personal contact among students, faculty, and staff was an important variable in a retention program. Among the recommendations were that successful precollege academic programs be continued and expanded to increase the academic skills of the underprepared students who have a keen interest in engineering; able minority juniors and seniors and/or graduate students should be identified to tutor other students. (NQ)