By Elyse Miller
News Channel 3

Classes are full at College of the Desert with enrollment higher than ever before at a nearly 8 percent jump from last year.

"I can't register for any classes," says C.O.D. student David James. "There are too many students."

An increasing amount of students are attending two-year colleges, avoiding the large price tag of a university education. Students typically pay 80 percent less at a junior college compared to a university. Now, with high food, home and gas prices, students are learning a real-life lesson in economics.

"I'm saving money up to use for other things," says student Lilian Mahoney.

As job layoffs and uncertainty about the future continues, people are looking to a higher education for more security. Educators say when the economy is good, more students find high paying jobs and skip out on college. Now, as the economy struggles, people are having a hard time finding and keeping jobs.

"It's hard to get a job and the economy is so bad, so I'm trying to save any way possible," says student Jeff Coloma.

Students are looking for other ways to save by not driving to school everyday. Instead, they're taking classes online right from their home.

"It saves on gas money and you can do it right from your home, without commuting or traffic," says student Daniel Pereyra.

Online class enrollment at C.O.D is up 20 percent, making classrooms on the web and in school full of students looking for successful savings.