Entering freshmen in 13 fields of study were compared longitudinally on demographic characteristics, high school achievement, college selection process, ability to finance college, highest degree planned, academic expectations, career plans, and aspirations. Attributes of students in the humanities and nonhumanities were also assessed. The humanities fields were English, history, language and literature, philosophy, and "other humanities," while the nonhumanities fields were biology, business, education, engineering, physical science, health technology, social science, and "undecided." Data for 1967, 1972, 1975, and 1981 were obtained from the Cooperative Institutional Research Program, which provides national normative data on college students. Data on 37 variables were cross tabulated by major field of study with sex, race, and selectivity of institution. Six categories of institutions were used: two-year schools, public/private four-year black institutions, minimally selective four-year institutions, moderately selective four-year institutions, highly selective four-year institutions, and very highly selective four-year institutions. Statistical tables of study findings are appended. (SW)