A study was conducted to identify the factors that influence adults to continue their education by taking formal course work on a part-time basis. Using May 1981 Current Population Survey data gathered by the Bureau of the Census, the study assessed the importance of price, socioeconomic characteristics, family income, and unemployment rates in determining adult participation in continuing education. Data from 11 urban areas, each with at least one community college and a variety of other private and public educational institutions, were analyzed. Study findings included the following: (1) approximately 11.3% of the black and white adults in the 11 areas were participating part time in continuing education activities, with enrollment rates lowest in east coast cities and highest in San Francisco (California); (2) for both men and women, prior education, age, and professional employment status were the most important factors distinguishing between participants and non-participants; (3) family income was estimated to be more important than price in determining the probability of enrollment for men, while the opposite pattern emerged for women; (4) a higher regional unemployment rate was a disincentive for male participation in career-related education; (5) attending school for personal enrichment was not associated with higher levels of educational attainment; and (6) women paid less for both career-related and personal-enrichment education than men. An 81-item bibliography is included. (UCM)