CBS News -- Between 2006-2010, the number of students choosing technical or trade schools over 4-year colleges grew by 2 million people. The primary reason was the growing cost of tuition, though students also cited a desire to get an education that leads directly to a career. Average college tuition during that period has grown 25%, to $20,000 per year. A growing number of students want to graduate quickly, in a year or two, and begin earning money. Experts believe the recession and ensuing economic slump have led students to seek job security over "the college experience."

RSC reminds students that for-profit tech schools can also be very expensive. require more student loans to pay off, have very high loan default rates and poor job-placement records. If you're looking for job security, weigh career and college options heavily. A for-profit tech school may prove to be a bad long-term investment. Consider community colleges that offer the same training. Use our personality tests and career-building tools to determine which options are best for you so that you don't run up deep debts with bleak job prospects. For more, visit College and Career Prep.