Students blame spiraling college costs as the No. 1 culprit for their debt. But knowing this won't provide you with much consolation iframenis all you can afford to eat as you whittle down your student loan and credit card bills. Whether you're in college or haven't started yet, there are ways to shrink your debt or avoid it entirely.

Here are some tips to get you started:

Control your costs

1. Stick to a four-year plan.

According to UCLA'sHigher Education Research Institute, only 28% of students at public universities graduate in four years. When college classes drag past the traditional eight semesters, debt piles up.

The rates vary wildly: 71% of students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill exit on time, but only 46% of undergrads at the University of Wisconsin-Madison do. At San Diego State University, less than 20% of students graduate in four years.College administrators tend to blame students for dawdling, but low graduation rates also can mean students can't register for the classes they need because of overcrowding. If you're interested in schools with pitiful grad rates, ask the school how some students manage to beat the odds. Avoiding universities with lousy graduation rates will be far more beneficial than working extra shifts at Baskin-Robbins.You can find schools with higher four-year grad rates atCollege Results Online. Also see "The 50 best values in public colleges" and "The best values in private colleges."

2. Get a campus job that really pays.

At most colleges, it's still not too tough to find a campus job. If you want a job that can seriously boost your chances of graduating debt-free, however, consider applying to be aresident assistant. Many RAs get their room and board free, which at plenty of schools can outstrip tuition costs. At UCLA, for instance, thetuition and fees for 2009-10are about $8,300, but room and board is the biggest-ticket item, about $13,300. With the recession hitting universities, ask about the availability of campus jobs when evaluating schools.

3. Use credit wisely.

If you're a college student, it's going to become a lot harder to party with plastic.

Beginning on Feb. 22, 2010, credit card issuers won't be able to give consumers younger than 21 a card unless a parent, guardian or spouse co-signs the application. The only way that young college students can dodge this crackdown is if they provide proof that they have the financial means to repay their debt.And that's not the only restriction. Full-time college students will have access only to credit that doesn't exceed $500 or 20% of their income each year. (See "Under 21? No credit card for you.")

While this may not seem fair, Congress is trying to protect students from making bad credit decisions on campus quadrangles across the country. For years, card issuers have paid universities millions of dollars for the right to ply their students with free gifts, says Daniel Ray, the editor-in-chief of CreditCards.com. One result: More than half of current college students have at least four credit cards, according to a recent study by student lender Sallie Mae. A typical student carries a balance of nearly $3,200; by graduation, one out of five card-carrying students owes more than $7,000. That's no way to start a career.

4. Cool your jets.

You may feel all grown up, but credit experts say it's absolutely OK to wait until you're a college senior to obtain a credit card. You won't need a credit history until then, and you'll stay out of trouble longer.

5. Use a debit card.

You'll get lots of practice acting financially responsible if you pay as you go. Relying on a debit card that's linked to a free or inexpensive student checking/savings account will provide excellent financial training wheels. (You won't be alone either: See "Will debit cards outstrip credit?")

6. Check credit unions.

If you do apply for a card before Feb. 22, skip the master marketers and apply for a card through a staid credit union instead. "Credit unions rarely engage in the kind of pricing abuses that we've seen with major credit cards," Detweiler says. "They may raise interest rates, but they rarely increase rates for no reason."

7. Freeze your plastic.

No, this isn't a joke, Ray insists. "Take your credit card and put it in a bowl of water andfreeze it," he says. "That limits the access to the card for impulse buys." Don't worry; the card is indestructible --mostly.

8. Be realistic about borrowing.

This might seem harsh, but a dance major's earnings potential most likely won't be as high as that of a finance major. Mark Kantrowitz, the founder ofFinAid, recommends that students limit their borrowing to no more than what they will typically earn during their initial year in the work force. This might not seem realistic, but keep in mind that the average tuition for a state university is less than $6,600 a year for someone who lives at home. Throw in room and board and the price rises to $14,333.

9. Research loans.

Many students spend more time reading a Chinese takeout menu than they do perusing the terms of a student loan. Don't sign anything until you understand the basics of college loans. Get a head start by reading MSN Money'sstudent loan primer.

10. Max out federal loans first.

Federal student loans are superior because they offer fixed interest rates and better repayment options. Try to avoid private loans, which often charge interest rates that look like typos. "For private loans, rates of 18%, 19% and 20% are not unheard of," warns Alan Collinge, who is the author of "The Student Loan Scam" and the founder ofStudentLoanJustice.org, which advocates for student borrowers.Here is something even scarier: Many students confuse federal loans with the private variety. "I get stories all day long," Collinge says, "from students who thought they got federal loans, but just prior to graduating they learn they have private loans and the interest has been accruing during the years that they were at school."Perhaps this confusion is why roughly one out of every four private loan borrowers never takes out a federalStafford loan, which is the most popular federal college loan.

11. Investigate nontraditional lenders.

After you've maxed out federal loans, check out credit unions, advises Tim Ranzetta, who writes about college loans at theStudent Lending Analytics Blog. He also recommends checking state loan programs. Remember, the stakes are high.Not taking your debt seriously can sabotage your financial life long after you've framed your diploma: An increasing number of employers are pulling the credit reports on college graduates who are seeking jobs. If an employer spots too much debt or a history of late payments on credit card and/or student loans, you might lose out even if you aced the interview. (See "How bad credit can cost you a job.") Lackluster credit scores also prevent you from getting the most favorable interest rates when buying a car or applying for a home loan.

12. Get responsible now!

Start showing some restraint on what you buy, and give budgeting a whirl. "Most teenagers today have been given a lot by their parents, and now is the time to get realistic about what it's like to manage their own money," says Gerri Detweiler, the credit adviser atCredit.com, a personal finance Web site.