Recent national data were used to examine the impact of individual and institutional variables on the ability of race and sex groups to complete a four year college degree program promptly (within three or four consecutive years) versus six to seven years. The results showed that black students were less successful than whites in prompt and in subsequent four year college completion. Also, males were far less successful than females in completing college on schedule. Initial race and sex differences favoring whites and females remained when examining subsequent college graduation rates. Regarding variable effects, college grade performance was found to be a major determinant of prompt and subsequent college completion for all race and sex groups. In addition, high school rank was an important determinant of prompt graduation for white males and prompt and subsequent graduation for black females. With reference to college characteristics, private colleges had a significant effect on prompt graduation for white and black males but no significant effect for females. However, attending a selective college did not have a significant effect on prompt or subsequent graduation for any of the four race and sex groups studied. (Author/APM)