The characteristics of 18.2 million persons who participated in postsecondary education activities are described, based on the results of the Bureau of the Census' October 1982 Current Population Survey. Included are: participation rates of population groups and an unduplicated count of postsecondary students; a breakdown of students by type of goal of their education; and a description of the social and labor force characteristics of persons participating in each segment. The goals or objectives of students' education are classified as: (1) an academic degree; (2) a vocational degree, certificate, license, or other credential; and (3) continuing education courses taken for personal/job development, or for social or recreational reasons. For academic, vocational, and continuing education students, the following characteristics are reported: sex, race, age group, marital status, labor force status, and region. Appendices include the survey form; information on the source of the data and reliability of sample estimates, standard error tables; statistical tables; and definitions of students pursuing different types of educational goals as well as a breakdown of participation rates for specific groups of students (e.g., persons taking courses to obtain or renew an occupational license). (SW)