Using a new time series of cross-sections from October Current Population Surveys, a fresh look is taken at trends in college entry over the 1972-1988 period for White, Black, and Hispanic American men and women, asking to what degree group differences and social and economic background have affected these trends. From 1972 to 1988, Blacks and Hispanic Americans were generally less likely to attend college than were Whites, and after 1978 the college entry chances of Blacks declined relative to those of Whites. However, when social background and dependency status were controlled, Hispanic Americans were more likely than Whites to attend college throughout the period, while Blacks were more likely than Whites to attend college until the early 1980s. Over the same period, women's chances of attending college grew relative to those of men, and in every year after 1975, dependent women were more likely than men to attend college. There are 21 figures illustrating trends. One table shows the effects of sex, non-dependency, and social background on college entry. Included is a 32-item list of references. (Author/SLD)