I've never seen much evidence that great software engineers always have degrees. In fact, the best ones I know don't have CS degrees. You're acting as if your

I've never seen much evidence that great software engineers always have degrees. In fact, the best ones I know don't have CS degrees. You're acting as if your example of the 50-something engineer without a degree is starting his career. The more plausible scenario is that his days of needing a degree to prove himself were over decades ago. He's getting jobs based on the knowledge and experience he gained at work, and if he isn't, he's been doing it wrong.