Mia-Sarah Abdullah, a commentator on Youth Radio, always planned to go to New York University, an expensive and prestigious private school. But after her mom was let go from bank giant Citigroup, Mia-Sarah realized that a private school education for her and her sisters, even with loans, was out of the question. Now she is considering more reasonably priced state schools. As America's troubled economy makes it harder to find a good job, many high school graduates find themselves in Mia-Sarah's shoes and are delaying entrance into the highly competitive job market or changing their college plans altogether.

One increasingly attractive option is enrolling in community colleges, such as those by the City University of New York (CUNY), which have seen a record number of applicants this year. Besides being safe havens for graduates who can't find jobs right after high school, community colleges also offer affordable tuition and vocational education for in-demand fields, such as nursing. If you've always dismissed community college as an option for you but are increasingly concerned about the difficult job market or the cost of four-year schools, consider its benefits:

Career-Specific Training

Community colleges offer two-year associates degrees, often in a career-specific field, such as criminal justice. These schools are excellent for students who want training in a particular area and don't want to waste time and money taking courses that aren't a part of their career path. Community college is also becoming increasingly popular with people who have lost their jobs and want to learn more marketable skills. For example, when Mia-Sarah's mother lost her banking job, she began attending community college to learn new skills.

Alternative Path to Four-Year Schools

Community colleges are less academically challenging than traditional schools, making them a potential alternative for people who were never strong students but seek some sort of higher education to give their resumes an edge. Additionally, community colleges are often a starting place for students who don't get into their choice universities right away or aren't completely ready for college right out of high school. Many basic credits earned at community colleges transfer to four-year colleges and universities, so you can start at a community college and then go to a four-year school once you have earned the grades or feel ready for a different setting. 

Affordable Tuition

Community colleges are also a much less expensive option than traditional four-year colleges. During the current "credit crunch," student loans are harder to obtain, and overall, money is tighter. A community college is a much more affordable alternative for students who are having trouble getting loans or who don't want to leave school with crippling debt.