Results of the fall 1982 survey of enrollments at private colleges and universities are presented, with attention also directed to the effect of the freshman enrollment decline on institutional finance, determinants of enrollment, and future enrollment expectations. Of the approximately 1,500 independent colleges, almost 1,200 institutions responded. Survey findings include the following: overall enrollment declined in private colleges for the first time since 1971; the number of full-time entering freshmen declined by more than 4 percent; almost two-thirds of the institutions reported declines in their freshman class; current losses of more than 17,000 entering students will mean loss of more than a quarter of a billion dollars in tuition revenues during the next 4 years; the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states reported the largest losses; enrollment declines were greatest in economically depressed states; the magnitude of headcount enrollment declines seems not to be dictated by tuition level; and private college enrollment figures suggest a shift from full-time to part-time status as a means of reducing costs. Economic recession and cuts in federal student financial aid are identified as two major factors that contributed to enrollment declines in fall 1982. Definitions of institutional categories and findings by region, type, and size are appended. (SW)