This study, based on data from the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire national survey, examined comparative differences in the quality of student efforts in various college experiences and in their perceptions of career preparation gains. The study measured responses of students (N=1,891) from four groups of vocational programs: business, health, technical/communications, and trade industry. Other variables examined were: gender and age; grades, full- or part-time status, and number of units being taken; and involvement, defined as hours per week spent studying. The results indicated differences among vocational groups not only in the amount of effort exerted but also in perceived gains in career preparation, while regression analysis indicated that influences of student characteristics and quality of effort also differed among the four groups. Among findings was that students in health programs, who were generally older and predominantly female, differed substantially from the other students, in that they spent more time studying, exerted greater effort, and perceived the greatest gains in career preparation. Two tables summarize variable means and standard deviations for the total sample and each vocational group; and separate regression analyses of each of the four vocational groups. (Contains 17 references.) (CH)