Student characteristics and attitudes for entering freshmen at the University of South Carolina (USC) for 1976-1986 are reported and compared to 1986 national norms for public universities. Comparative data for the 1986 class by on-campus or off-campus residence are also presented. The data were collected through the Cooperative Institutional Research Program of the American Council of Education. National norms, data for USC students for 1975, 1980, and 1985; and USC on-campus and off-campus student data are presented for the following variables: sex; age (17 or younger, age 19 or older); race (white, black); religious preference (Protestant, Catholic, none); liberal or conservative political views; probable major (education, business, computer science); parents completing college degree; estimated parental income of more than $30,000; average grade in high school (A or B); highest academic degree intended; reasons for attending college; reasons for choosing USC; student motivations in life; self-ratings on six qualities; attitudes concerning three social issues; and predictions about whether students thought they would be satisfied with college, get a bachelor's degree, or join a social fraternity or sorority. (SW)