College student drug usage in a state system as a function of type of institution

Over 4,500 students from 28 universities, colleges, and junior colleges constituting a state system of higher education were compared on extent of drug use. At least two of the three pairs of groups differed on reported usage of six of the substances, with the largest differences being between universities and junior colleges on alcohol and marihuana. A discriminant analysis showed that the nine items formed two differentiating dimensions—Alcohol Usage and Hallucinogen/LSD Usage—in separating the groups. Despite the statistical significance, the differences in terms of actual numbers of users were small. Inferences of the results are discussed.