In November 1989, a study was conducted at Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) to examine retention rates for 1988-89 according to a variety of institutional and student characteristics and to determine whether major differences existed between returning and non-returning students. Data were collected from end-of-term student computer files. Study findings included the following: (1) 51.9% of all students and 84.1% of all full-time students who enrolled in fall 1988 re-enrolled in and completed spring 1989; (2) the retention rate for freshmen was 65.1%, while sophomores had a retention rate of 71.1%; (3) part-time students had a retention rate of 44.3%, with most of the returning students enrolled in on-campus programs leading toward degrees; (4) in 1987-88, full-time, unclassified students had a fall-to-winter retention rate of 79.4% and a winter-to-spring retention rate of 92.3%, while in 1988-89, the retention rate among these students fell to 67.7%; (5) the nursing program had a 100% retention rate in 1988-89; and (6) in 1988-89, the retention rate for full-time black students was 8.4% lower than in 1987-88, and 22.3% lower than that for full-time white students. The Fortran program used to calculate the retention statistics is appended, along with sample tables generated by the program. (JMC)