You can't perform experiments in chemistry or material science on a laptop. The practice oriented classes in these fields often require facilities and equipment

You can't perform experiments in chemistry or material science on a laptop. The practice oriented classes in these fields often require facilities and equipment that are too expensive for individuals to purchase. Hence why in those fields college credentials is a variable with r > 0 for on the job competence. In contrast, it costs about $600 dollars in computer equipment and used books in order to get started in programming or security. The security industry in particular reflects this. Over half of the guys running top security companies either don't have a degree or have one from a highly technical college. Hell, the guy running cyber security research for the government has a music degree.