The question of whether noncredit, continuing education courses at the college level compete with or complement credit offerings is considered, based on surveys at Lakeland Community College (Ohio) and Lee College (Texas). For Lakeland College, there was some potential competition from noncredit classes in specific subjects. Lakeland Community College tests innovative courses through lifelong learning, and then converts the successful courses to credit offerings. At Lee College, most courses are not converted to credit classes. Potential competition between credit and noncredit programs was identified by the research, including noncredit students who would enroll in credit classes if that were all that were available to them. Continuing education was found to positively affect students' attitudes toward further learning, and a large majority said noncredit classes had increased the likelihood of their taking credit courses in the future. Information is presented on: reasons for enrolling in continuing education, reasons for selecting courses, how students first learned about the programs, credit versus noncredit choices, and demographic characteristics of the student respondents. The questionnaire is appended. (SW)