Statistics show back in 2008, community colleges nationwide enrolled 11.5 million students, about 46 percent of all U.S. undergraduates.

ESCANABA -- Looking to get a higher education?  Well if you're considering community college, than you're among millions of others who are now taking that route.

Statistics show back in 2008, community colleges nationwide enrolled 11.5 million students, about 46 percent of all U.S. undergraduates...and that number continues to grow.

The trend is showing more people are turning to the cheaper educational option, setting record numbers for a few community colleges here in the U.P.

Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba started with just 100 students back in 1962.  Today, they're at over 2,700 students on the Escanaba and Iron Mountain campuses.

"This is the highest enrollment we've ever seen," explained Bay College President, Laura Coleman.  "We've had increases since 2006, but this year we've had a 13 percent overall increase."

Other community colleges here in the U.P. have seen similar numbers.  Gogebic Community College, located on the western end of the U.P. currently has 1,500 students enrolled.  That's a 16 percent enrollment increase this year.

Bay Mills Community College, a tribally controlled school on the eastern edge of the U.P., has seen about a 19 percent increase in enrollment this year, from 512 students last year to 610 students this year.

So why are the numbers growing so rapidly, not only here, but across the country?  Officials feel tuition prices are part of the reason.

Reports from the American Association of Community Colleges show, on average, there's about a $4,000 difference in yearly tuition and fees between community colleges and public four-year colleges.

"People are realizing they're getting fantastic quality at a much reduced cost," Coleman said.  "The small class sizes, the quality of instruction, the low costs, make it a really inviting thing."

And officials say the depressed economy is also pushing more toward a one or two year degree, not only because it's a cheaper option, but also because people need that type of education now, more than ever.

"We're seeing students move to the community college because of the economy, and they really need more training to get a more solid career foundation or they want to change careers whether they've been forced out of their current job or they want to firm up their skills," explained Bay Dean of Student Services, Matthew Soucy.

Their classrooms continue to fill up, their programs are expanding.  In fact, Bay College is now working on an honors program to help make Bay even more attractive to prospective students.