I am 28 and have spent the last 9 months as a non-degree student taking courses in discrete math, computer architecture, and algorithms and data structures. My

I am 28 and have spent the last 9 months as a non-degree student taking courses in discrete math, computer architecture, and algorithms and data structures. My undergrad degrees were in finance/econ and I spent a few years in banking. I thought hard about going the DIY route, but I can honestly say that taking some of the foundational courses in computer science has really helped. Plus I know what I don't know, and perhaps more importantly, I know what CS grads are supposed to know. I am more interested in an entrepreneurial route and not really in being the best programmer I can be. But, I would still recommend this route to anyone who is serious. At the end of the day I think an employer is more interested in what you're able to do than what degree you have, especially in software development. Plus, to be frank, most of the CS kids I've met can't hack their way out of a box. So, if you know what they're supposed to know and have some real projects to show off, nobody cares about your degree.