Data on degrees conferred by Connecticut institutions of higher education for the academic year 1980-1981 are examined. After rising steadily through 1973-1974, the number of degrees conferred stabilized between 26,000 and 27,000; 26,939 degrees were conferred by Connecticut institutions of higher education in 1980-1981. The total number of degrees conferred in 1980-1981 was up from the previous year in all types of institutions except the state colleges, while the number of certificates (339) and associates degrees awarded (5,403) remained stable. The number of bachelors degrees conferred (13,489) increased for the second consecutive year. The peak year was 1974-1975 (14,452). The decline in degrees conferred in education continued, as did growth in awards in business and management. At the master's level, the number of awards rose slightly in 1980-1981 (6,429), the first increase since the peak in 1975-1976 (6,759). Minority students received 5.6 percent of all awards in 1980-1981, increasing from 5.2 percent in 1978-1979. Women received 52.5 percent of all awards in 1980-1981, increasing from 51.6 percent 1 year earlier. In 1980-1981 women received over half the awards at all levels below the doctorate, 34.2 percent of all doctorates, and 33.7 percent of all first-professional degrees. Data are provided for the specific degrees in 1980-1981 by institutions as well as by sector, and trend data on degrees for 1971-1972 to 1980-1981 and degree data by discipline are also included. (SW)