College attendance by Italian and American women over age 30 is compared, and attention is directed to whether mature Italian and U.S. women who continue their education do so for similar reasons and whether they experience similar problems. The analysis is based on two studies of women over 30 in post-compulsory degree programs: (1) a study on 251 mature female undergraduate and graduate students at San Diego State University, and (2) an investigation of 49 women at the university and in several higher secondary school programs in Trieste, Italy. Respondents' motives for continuing their education were determined, including the importance of: learning new things, personal satisfaction, improved self-image, career preparation, and advancing/changing careers. The following types of problems were addressed: role conflicts, inadequate academic preparation, institutional inadequacies, financial problems, and relationship problems. It was found that Italian women over age 30 were less likely than their American counterparts to resume post-compulsory education due to cultural differences, especially the more traditional role expectations of Italian women of this age grouping. (SW)