This study examined sleep quality and academic performance in regarding to the quality of sleep and grade point average; however, there was still a lack of understanding despite much research as to the role of academic stress. The specific research problem was a lack of understanding about the role of academic stress in the relationship between the quality of sleep and academic performance. The purpose of this quantitative-correlational study was to determine whether academic stress moderates the relationship between sleep quality, sleep hygiene behavior, and academic performance. The study sample included 115 undergraduate college students in the United States separated by strata of year in school. Three already published instruments were used to assess the variables. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI), and Academic Stress Scale. The criterion variable, academic performance (GPA), was measured from the self-reporting of undergraduate college cumulative GPA for all years of undergraduate college. A multiple regression model was used to assess how the predictor variable academic stress moderated the degree to which sleep quality and sleep hygiene behavior predict academic performance. Findings suggested academic stress related to pressures to perform, assignment workload, and examinations have a negative impact on undergraduate college students sleep hygiene and academic performance. Recommendations for practice include college administrators consider providing college students academic stress awareness information related to pressures to perform so that they are at least aware of this type of academic stress and its potential impact on their academic performance. College administrators provide college students with awareness resources concerning stress related to workload and examinations. Recommendations for future research include assessing for other forms of academic stress in conjunction with lecture time note-taking. Utilizing a mixed-method approach to understand further the relationship between academic stress (pressures to perform, workload, and examinations), sleep hygiene, quality of sleep, and academic performance. [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.]