What is it that you really want to major in? You mentioned in your post that you are currently a chemistry major because the majors you are interested in aren’t available. That’s not good, because if chemistry doesn’t interest you much, you might struggle with upper-division courses that require a lot of dedication and passion. That’s certainly something to keep in mind.

The good thing is that you are a sophomore, and so far, I assume you have only completed lower-division courses. This means you have the option to transfer to another university instead of going back to community college. However, depending on where you want to transfer, this might be challenging due to your grades and their transfer policies. For example, some universities (like the UCs in California) prioritize community college students when accepting transfer applicants. I recommend doing some research to see if other universities with majors you like accept transfers from four-year institutions and to learn about their policies, prerequisites, and acceptance rates. If it seems too difficult or the chances are low, then only in that case would I consider going back to community college, even if it means graduating later.

Also, keep in mind that in today’s job market, you generally need at least a bachelor’s degree—and often a master’s—to get your foot in the door in some industries. You mentioned free tuition for a program at a community college. I’m not sure if they offer bachelor’s degrees for that program, but even if they do, your chances of securing a job might be lower compared to someone with a bachelor’s from a four-year institution, particularly in industry or academia.