So, just think of your future self (let's say, you when you are around 50 years old) and see in which place you would like to be when it comes to applying for a

So, just think of your future self (let's say, you when you are around 50 years old) and see in which place you would like to be when it comes to applying for a job at company X: - applicant A: 20 years of experience. Bachelor and master degree in Computer Science - applicant B: 23 years of experience. Bachelor in computer science - applicant C: 26 years of experience. No degree In the long term, all other things being equal, a degree gives you a boost (because, really, what's the difference of 20 vs 26 years of experience?). I'm not saying this is good or bad, it's just simple maths. Now, sure if you have skills other people don't usually have, sure perhaps you don't need a master degree in Computer Science to be competitive. I'm just exposing the usefulness of a degree for the average Joe. Now, if you are asking this question I think it's because you are thinking about getting a degree just for the sake of it. If you wanted to do the degree only for the sake of knowledge, I think you wouldn't be asking here on HN :)