In 1987, a statewide survey was conducted to examine the experiences and perceptions of 1986 graduates of Maryland's community colleges 1 year after graduation. Questionnaires were mailed by each community college to graduates who received a certificate and/or associate degree between July 1, 1985 and June 30, 1986 (N=7,530). Study findings, based on a 55% response rate, included the following: (1) 48% of the degrees and certificates awarded were in programs designed to prepare the student for immediate entry into a particular career, and 43% were in programs designed to prepare the student for transfer to a four-year college; (2) the average time from first entering the college to graduation was 4.5 years; (3) 66% of the respondents were female and 15% were from a minority group; (4) 39% reported that transfer preparation was their most important reason for first attending the community college; (5) 81% said that the one reason they chose the community college was because of its good location; (6) 92% rated classroom instruction in their program as high; (7) 63% of the graduates were working full-time, another 21% were working part-time, 23% were full-time students, and 18% were part-time students; (8) 41% of the respondents attended another college after graduating from the community college; (9) 17% who transferred reported entering a major that was unrelated to their community college major; and (10) among graduates of career programs, 61% were working full-time in a job related to their community college major. The survey instrument is included. (UCM)