TL;DR: helps, not usually a deal-breaker. Self-taught programmer here for a long time (later got a CS & Engineering degree at a UC). I worked at Trimble, Stan

TL;DR: helps, not usually a deal-breaker. Self-taught programmer here for a long time (later got a CS & Engineering degree at a UC). I worked at Trimble, Stanford (with IITians) and many other Fortune 500 shops as a consultant without a degree. No problem. The only thing a degree really solves it tells HR "candidate completed some hazing ritual, with a smattering of learning how to learn." Some people look at degree as a pedigree, but it's mostly BS (and expensive). The goal of certifications and degrees should be based on whether it's required by a specific industry (ie professional engineer) or job role (ie doctor).