Using two large national survey databases, a study was done of trends in degrees conferred by colleges and universities. The data were gathered from: (1) the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 1986-87 through 1990-91 "Completions" surveys, and the 1990 and 1991 "Consolidated" surveys; and (2) the Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) 1984-85 survey of "Degrees and Other Formal Awards Conferred in Institutions of Higher Education." These surveys collected information on degrees conferred by level of award (associate's, bachelor's, master's, doctor's, first-professional; race, ethnicity, and sex of recipients; and major field of study. The results are displayed in eight tables. Highlights of the study include the following: (1) the number of all degrees awarded in 1990-91 increased by 2.7 percent over the previous year with the greatest increase occurring among Hispanics; (2) degrees awarded to women accounted for 54 percent of the total degrees in 1990-91; (3) computer and information sciences, engineering and related technologies, and theology were the only fields experiencing a decline in bachelor's degrees awarded; and (4) over the 6-year span of the study the number of master's and doctor's degrees had the largest overall percentage increases. Appendixes contain a crosswalk for selected fields and four additional tables. (JB)