The enrollment patterns of Chicanos in colleges and universities of the Southwest were examined for 1972, 1974, and 1976, and enrollment patterns were compared to graduation data for Chicanos for the academic year 1975-76. Comparative data for whites and blacks were also examined. The primary sources of data were the compliance surveys conducted by the U.S. Office for Civil Rights. The analysis was conducted for Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. It was found that Chicanos are underrepresented in colleges and universities of the southwest and that they are less well represented than either blacks or whites. Chicanos were much more likely than whites, and slightly more likely than blacks, to enroll in two-year colleges. Chicanos' share of bachelor degrees were conferred in proportion to their enrollment in the undergraduate upper levels. Chicanos are least well represented in the major research universities that grant the doctorate. Implications of the findings to the issue of equal access to higher education are considered. Additionally, literature and research on Chicanos in higher education is reviewed and considered in relation to educational stratification. An interpretation of the expansion and differentiation of higher education systems is presented to provide a context for analyzing the participation of Chicanos in higher education. The discussion considers the expanded role of educational institutions in the economic structure and the structural character of system expansion. A bibliography is appended. (SW)