What is better: going into a four-year university as "undeclared" or going to a community college for the first two years of school?

Dan Johnston does college aid presentations and workshops at over 50 high schools each year as the Regional Director of Pennsylvania’s Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). One of his most frustrating examples of bad college advice is: “If you don’t know what major you want, go as an undeclared student. You can decide on your major after a few basic courses.”

Johnston says that, “For most students that is the worst advice possible. Granted, there will always be students whose best initial choice is undeclared, but they represent a very small percentage of students. The idea that a large number of students without a career plan can take a few basic courses, then suddenly ‘find’ themselves (to the tune of $20,000 to $50,000 per year), is sadly pathetic and needlessly expensive.”

A better option is to audit a college course as a high school student or attend a community college and take a few courses without the big expense of attending full-time at a four-year college. Some high schools now offer dual enrollment with colleges so that high school students can earn college credits while still attending high school.

Going to college as an undeclared major often leads to students having to spend extra semesters or years in college to get the classes that they need for the major that they eventually choose. Often those students take on more debt as a result.

With all due respect, however, choosing a major is no easy decision in today’s world. The pace of change in the workplace is so rapid that today’s hot field of study may lead to the unemployment line by the time a student graduates four years later.

I think if you know you want to graduate with a Bachelors degree eventually you should definitely attend a 4-year university so that you don't have to worry about your credits transferring or not transferring.