In an effort to obtain a more complete picture of student outcomes, the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) undertook a 6-year study of the academic experiences of 10,777 students who entered in fall 1986 with no previous college experience. In addition to basic data on student characteristics, the study gathered information on student persistence in the college, completion of a degree or certificate, and transfer to a four-year institution. Outcomes for fall 1986 to spring 1992 for the entire cohort revealed that 12.9% transferred, 8.1% completed a degree or certificate, and 4.4% of students were still enrolled. Analyses were also conducted for those students in the cohort who completed at least 12 credit hours, completed at least 2 semesters, and/or were in baccalaureate/transfer programs, as well as by student goals. Rates for students with at least 12 credits were significantly higher than for the whole cohort regarding transfer, completion, and persistence, while rates were moderately higher for those with 2 semesters and in transfer programs. The study also sought to identify important factors in determining student success, finding that: (1) student grade point average and an intent to transfer were positively related to success; (2) both age and weekly job hours were negatively related to success rates; (3) ethnicity and original intent were also found to be significantly related to outcomes; and (4) factors which had no significant impact included gender, student enrollment in a baccalaureate or transfer program, and family income. (Contains 15 references.) (KP)