This Data Point examines the persistence and attainment of students who enrolled in postsecondary education for the first time in 2003-04, focusing on subbaccalaureate students (those seeking a certificate or associate's degree) and, among subbaccalaureate students, those who pursue occupational education. Their progress was tracked over 6 years. The BPS students examined here were initially surveyed in 2003-04 (at the end of their first academic year) then re-surveyed in 2005-06 and in 2008-09. The final BPS:04/09 dataset contains information on nearly 16,700 students. It was found that: (1) Subbaccalaureate students have a lower rate of persistence and attainment than baccalaureate students; and (2) Students seeking a subbaccalaureate credential in an occupational field of study have a persistence and attainment rate that is not measurably different from that of subbaccalaureate students in other fields of study.