A comparison of the number of degrees conferred in New Jersey colleges and universities in 1979 and 1980, along with trends over the past five years, are examined. The total number of degrees and awards conferred statewide declined by 1.6 percent over funding year 1979, a fact that indicates a continuation in the three-year trend of a decreasing number of graduates after a peak in 1977. The slight decline in 1980 degrees was not uniform across degree levels. The number of certificates awarded declined by 24 percent, the number of bachelor's degrees declined by 3 percent, and the number of doctorates declined by nearly 2 percent. By contrast, the number of associate and master's degrees conferred both increased by approximately 2 percent. In the public sector, female graduates exceeded males at every degree level except the doctoral; while in the independent sector, the number of female graduates exceeded the number of male graduates at only the associate degree level. Minority students (blacks and Hispanics) comprised 10 percent of all graduates. In comparing 1980 degrees by program with those of 1976, it is found that the number of degrees conferred in the humanities, social sciences, and mathematics/science fields decreased at all levels, from the bachelor's level to the doctoral. Degrees in education decreased at both the bachelor's and master's levels, but increased at the doctoral level. Degrees conferred in business, computer science, health professions, and public services rose at the bachelor's and master's levels. The summary tables and graphs display the proportions and numbers of degrees conferred in 1980 by degree level, sector, sex, and ethnicity, as well as five-year trends in degrees conferred by program category. The data for individual institutions are appended. (SW)