At no other time in American history has the need for post-secondary educational attainment been so pervasively necessary. Since 2007, three in every four jobs created has required a bachelor's degree or higher. Such a prerequisite to fiscal viability occurs parallel with rising costs of college attendance, a nebulous financial aid process, stagnant federal educational grant provisions, equating in $1.4 trillion in student loan debt; and average default rates of over 10%. This study utilized a human capital theory lens to examine three research questions: (a) how do third and fourth year college students discern the cost of college in combination with the financial aid process, (b) what influenced undergraduate matriculation decisions, and (c) what is the perception of cost, including with student loans, to the benefit of career projections? Analysis of transcripts from eight semi-structured interviews within a general qualitative design yielded three major themes. First, current and prospective students have significant misunderstandings of the financial aid process and college cost. Second, net cost is a critical factor of matriculation decisions, often leading to undermatching. Third, perceptions of degree benefit are a function of debt amount and the major pursued. Lower debt holders and higher projected salary earners are happier with their college matriculation decisions. Considerations for the current applicability of human capital theory as a guide to the monetary post-secondary benefits of education are provided. Further, implications to middle-income families, secondary school personnel, and college admissions offices are presented. [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://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]