It is time we all accept the fact that a traditional four-year liberal arts education is a poor investment for America's middle class. Student debt is now at the $1 trillion mark with graduates of four-year institutions facing an average of $25,000 in debt. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that in 2012, 1.5 million recent college graduates, or 53.6 percent of those students with bachelor's degrees are jobless or underemployed.

Students and their parents need to think carefully before investing the $7,605 a year that the College Board estimates as the average tuition at a public four-year institution. This figure doesn't include room and board, Friday night pizzas, books or lattes.

Today's economy cannot support more art history or philosophy majors. Students and their parents must consider careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). That's where the jobs are and there is an inexpensive, quick way to qualify for these jobs -- enrolling at a community college.