Have you felt like the recession is burning a huge hole in your wallet? Many Americans are sharing your pain. From California to New York, families are forced to cut back on spending–including downsizing on their child’s dreams of attending an Ivy League school. A recent report by USA Today noted that an increasing number of high school graduates are re-thinking about applying to expensive private colleges.

The article cites the example of Laura Mueller-Soppart, who was accepted to her dream school, Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Unable to afford the $200,000 in tuition payments that were needed to fund her four years of undergraduate education, Laura opted to attend a less expensive school.

If your dream school doesn’t give you enough financial aid to get by, this is definitely not a cause to worry! There are lots of good and affordable programs out there that will help you get the job you want without paying sky-high tuition bills. For instance, many children say that they want to become doctors when they grow up. If you are interested in joining the health profession, but don’t want to shell out thousands of dollars (and years of your life) training to become a physician, there are lots of exciting medical careers out there that don’t even require a four-year degree! Check them out here:

Respiratory Therapists are essential in providing care for people who suffer from lung disorders. These technicians and therapists test treat and provide care for patients who may be in pain from asthma, cystic fibrosis, or smoke inhalation. After some experience, respiratory therapists can expect to make upwards of $45,000 annually.

Job opportunities for Phlebotomists are expected to grow faster than average in the next 8 years. You may be scratching your head, wondering what a phlebotomist even does. You have probably come into contact with one many times before, but not known it. A phlebotomist is a person who draws the blood that the lab analysts test for disease. There are many other responsibilities that this job carries with it. After gathering some know-how, you could be well on your way to making up to $48,000 annually with a career in phlebotomy!

The need for Surgical Technicians is expected to grow through 2012. Surgical technicians assist doctors and nurses during many surgical procedures. These employees typically work for hospitals, but sometimes for physicians who perform minor surgeries, or in outpatient care centers. It doesn’t take much time to get started in this fast-paced field. A surgical technician program can be completed between 9 to 24 months of schooling and afterward you’re almost guaranteed a job!

There are so many exciting jobs that don’t require you to take out a third mortgage on your house and you can learn from the convenience of your own home. This way, you can get that dream job without being up to your eyeballs in debt. Who wants to come out of school after 4 years with $200,000 in debt? Check out the Top-Colleges homepage for more information on how to get started today!