This dissertation addresses the factors influencing student college choice and their relationship to marketing processes in a northeastern Minnesota tribal college. The project involved a three-stage process of college choice--predisposition, search, and choice--and the related factors within each stage. From a review of the literature, a number of key factors emerged regarding each stage of the three-step process. A survey instrument was developed and piloted using these factors. In January 2000, the survey was administered to students attending Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (Minnesota). Forty-two percent of the on-campus student population participated in this study. Survey data were analyzed using a variety of descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings showed that students were influenced by a number of factors. In the predisposition stage, students agreed that they had always known that they would attend college and that they possessed the academic capability of attending college. In the search and choice stages, students responded consistently that the factors of campus location, academic programs, class size, cost, hospitality/friendliness, and campus size were influential in making their college selections. Though this study is specific to a tribal institution, the author believes the research will translate well to the general field of student recruitment and will provide a system for analyzing customer trends and activities to ensure success. (Contains 84 references and 7 appendices, including the research instrument.) (NB)