Yes, there is. If you enter in a good university, e.g., MIT, you'll know a lot of smart people which will also be good to your network. You'll also have access

Yes, there is. If you enter in a good university, e.g., MIT, you'll know a lot of smart people which will also be good to your network. You'll also have access to smart teachers. Yes, starting early gives you a head start and you won't lose it, unless you stop studying. But study can be achieved inside a college or outside it. That's where Coursera/EdX comes in along with courses (40 hours usually) and self-studying -- but note that you're less likely to study some subjects like Math, which after some years looked very interesting to me as I wanna dive in machine learning for example. Ok, I can learn on demand, but that's because now I see a very good application for Math :D -- there is no 'correct' way to do it, just don't stop learning. I don't really know your financial conditions, but supposing that you can choose without fear, considering your age, I'd first say that you choose both! What?! Both, yes. I really enjoyed working a big company (Walmart), increase the network and saw the 'company way' of doing things. But when I got tired I switched to freelance mode. There are trade-offs. Again, there is no 'right way'. Depends on many things. The proposed salary, the freedom you are willing to give up, the job conditions x freelance conditions, how much you survive bosses ordering you around, etc. If you don't know freelance and company is interesting to try them out to see what fits more for you. The problem (actually a good problem to have) is that you have many clients as you said, and if you go to a company, you'll need to get them back again. I can't really give you a straight answers, I'm telling more about what I went through and the variables that you should consider IMHO. Btw: learned only years later, but a diploma can help you A LOT if you want to immigrate