This study was designed to investigate the effect that marriage appears to have on college attendance of a group of college-motivated youth during the academic year following their high school graduation. A total of 28,800 National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test participants were selected to compose 72 subsamples formed on the basis of race (black or nonblack), sex, ability level, and geographical region of residence. The return rate was 64% and was related to students' NMSQT selection scores, highest for those with the highest scores. It was concluded that marriage seems a more important factor in the college attendance behavior of nonblack than black males. Marital status of a woman of either race is especially significant as a determinant of college attendance; a married woman is less likely to attend than her male counterpart. Marriage can also affect the type of college entered, the grades received, and completion of the freshman year. The data are illustrated in tables. (JS)