The purpose of this research is to holistically study how Appalachian students view postsecondary institutions in order to understand the factors that promote academic achievement and the factors that contribute to the gender gap that exists in postsecondary education in Appalachia. This research reveals that the issues related to the postsecondary educational achievement of Appalachian students require a holistic view incorporating economic, social, educational components. The findings specifically reveal, among others, that Appalachian students highly value education, suffer socio-cultural barriers to educational access, are very dependant on actors outside the family structure for motivation to pursue higher education, often lacked financial resources for college, often feel unmotivated in high school and college and suggest a multidimensional plan for Appalachian educational realization.