( CNN ) -- Todd Sollar used to think a college education was a waste of time and money . `` I thought I could bypass college after high school and get a good paying job with General Motors and avoid the high cost of an education , '' he said . The 34-year-old from Centerville , Ohio , was groomed as a young adult to work with his hands and to pursue production jobs in his hometown area near Dayton . After high school , he worked for two years at Airborne Express ( now DHL ) in Wilmington , Ohio , then moved to the General Motors ' Moraine plant where he worked on the body shop assembly line for 11 years churning out Chevrolet Trailblazers , GMC Envoys and even Saab SUVs . `` The money and benefits at GM were good and I was very comfortable , '' he said . The good life did n't last as long as Sollar wanted . In 2008 , GM closed his plant , leaving him and thousands of others without jobs . `` It felt like the end of the world and I was scared when they let us go , '' he said . `` It was a struggle , because I thought we 'd stay open . '' GM was the only way of life for many former employees and the plant closure was a major blow to their psyches . Employment options for a high school graduate in the Dayton , Ohio , area were bleak when Sollar lost his job in 2008 . The economy was in a downturn and the possibility of finding a job that paid well was slim . He and his former colleagues struggled to find work . Two of his friends committed suicide after they were let go from GM . Sollar vowed to find a positive path toward his new future , despite the dismal economic climate . `` My only hope for a decent job at that time required me to seek out a higher education , '' he said . In the Fall quarter of 2008 , Sollar enrolled in Sinclair Community College in Dayton and pursued an associate degree in applied science in automation and control technology with robotics . Sinclair is one of nearly 1,200 public and community colleges across the U.S . This year , Sinclair 's summer session had the highest enrollment in the school 's nearly 125-year history , with 13,041 students enrolled , a 3 % increase over last year . The school 's president , Dr. Steven Johnson , said community colleges across the country are experiencing increases in enrollments , as well . Johnson said a downturn in the economy is among the biggest reasons why more Americans are enrolling in community colleges , these days . The Dayton area has been hit especially hard with job losses in the automotive industry . Students are seeking new marketable job skills and community colleges offer a viable means to that end . `` Community colleges are a great value for the money and are less expensive than a four-year institution , '' he said . `` For some students , a two-year degree makes more sense than a four-year college experience . '' For Sollar , scholarships and grants covered his full-time tuition , which averages between $ 2,259 to $ 3,598 a year at Sinclair . A severance package deal from GM covered his living expenses while he attended school . He had to take additional classes beyond the core curriculum to make up for the lack of college prep classes he missed taking in high school . Despite the extra workload , he graduated with honors in June of 2011 . Looking back , Sollar wished he would have attended community college earlier in his life , instead of waiting until his 30s to attend school . `` Nothing is permanent in this world , especially jobs , '' he said . `` You ca n't take for granted that a job is going to support you for your entire life . '' Sollar said an education was the key to expanding his horizons and opening new employment possibilities . Before graduation , he landed a job with Gosiger Automation in Dayton , where he now works full-time as an electronic mechanical technician . He 's not making as much money as he once did with GM , but hopes that will change one day as he advances through his newly developed career . He said he could n't have landed this position without attending Sinclair . `` When I was in high school , I was told that I was not 'college material , ' '' he said . `` Yet , I discovered later in life , that was n't true . '' Sollar 's wife , who is due with their first child in October , plans to encourage his future child to receive a higher education , too . `` My child will have no choice , '' he chuckled . `` I will make that kid attend college . ''
Todd Sollar believed college was a waste of time and money , until he lost his factory job . Sollar is among the growing trend of Americans attending community college . The average student at a four-year public university in America earns about $30,000 per year — more than double what they made when they were students 30 years ago.