This study explored the key factors that had the greatest impact on their decision to attend a particular HBCU. Forty to 60-minute semi-structured interviews were conducted with 4 focus groups. The results indicated that cost, campus environment, academic majors, and family were the 4 key factors that influenced their decisions to attend the research institution. From the perspective of cost, the participants, particularly the in-state students, felt as though the university was reasonably priced compared to some of the other schools they saw as an option to attend. Within the campus environment factor many of the participants mentioned the campus environment seemed to be family oriented, thus they felt a connection to the campus when they visited. Family was a 3rd factor. Although their immediate family was important to the participants, none of their immediate family members had gone to college. As a result, participants talked about how many of their family members attended and spoke very highly of the institution. Lastly, academic major was a considered a major factor. The participants decided to attend the institution because their major was offered. The participants in this study were current 1st-generation college students of the research institution. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]