College costs have skyrocketed throughout the nation in the last five years, with many students now paying thousands of dollars more a year for tuition, fees and room and board.

Here are six ways to beat the rising costs.

• Go to community college for at least the first two years.

According to The College Board, average in-state tuition at a four-year school for 2010-2011 was $7,605, but average tuition at a two-year community college was just $2,713.

• Live at home.

Average cost for room and board at a four-year in-state public school: $8,535.

• Save hundreds of dollars a year by scouting for textbooks’ bargain basement prices.

Go online at cheapesttextbooks.com or textbooksearch.com

• Earn college credit by taking Advanced Placement courses in high school or passing CLEP exams at your future college.

You can earn credit for more than 30 college classes, from American lit to calculus. That could save you a year’s college expenses. Go to collegeboard.org and clep.collegeboard.org.

• Start a 529 tax-free college investment fund to save or invest for college costs.

• Win a scholarship.

Check out scholarship opportunities at finaid.org, scholarships.com or fastweb.com.