I want to challenge the assumption that the fundamentals (however we define them) can only be taught through a degree. This clearly isn't the case - everything

I want to challenge the assumption that the fundamentals (however we define them) can only be taught through a degree. This clearly isn't the case - everything you cover at university is freely available online for anyone who is interested in learning it. Plenty of people out there don't have CS degrees but have great fundamentals. What OP would be missing out on is the social aspect of university and the lack of credentials in the future. I agree that lack of a degree can definitely hurt you or completely disqualify you for certain positions. There's also potentially negative status that comes with not having a degree or being someone who wasn't commited/capable/hardworking enough to finish what they started. (This last part obviously isn't necessarily true but the perception could be there anyway)