Trend data on enrollment and degrees conferred in public and independent colleges and universities in Connecticut are examined. There are 22 state-supported institutions, one federally-operated institution, and 26 independent institutions. In fall 1980, independent institutions enrolled 39 percent of all students enrolled in Connecticut institutions, compared to 38.1 percent in 1976. Of all students enrolled in 4-year institutions, 52.6 percent were attending independent institutions, compared to 49.9 percent in 1976. Eighty-five percent of all undergraduate students enrolled in Connecticut institutions in fall 1980 were Connecticut residents. The majority of these students (73.3 percent) were enrolled in public institutions, where 96.8 percent of undergraduate students were Connecticut residents, compared to 63.6 percent in the independent sector. Between 1976 and 1980, declines in full-time undergraduate enrollment occurred at each of the state-supported units except the technical colleges. During the same period, full-time undergraduate enrollment in the independent sector increased in all institutional categories. In fall 1980, 65.1 percent of all part-time students were enrolled in public sector institutions, with 45.5 percent of all part-time undergraduate students enrolled in regional community colleges. The independent sector conferred nearly half (48.3 percent) of all bachelors degrees awarded in 1980, as well as 51.8 percent of the masters degrees, 61.5 percent of doctoral degrees, and 64.2 percent of first-professional degrees. In contrast, the public sector conferred 75.1 percent of associates degrees and 89.6 percent of certificates below the associates degrees in that same year. (SW)