Not sure I agree with that. The non degree holder could be better definitely at certain specific parts of software engineering (mainly because they potentially

Not sure I agree with that. The non degree holder could be better definitely at certain specific parts of software engineering (mainly because they potentially had 4 more years and more time to dedicate to learning it) but the person with a bachelors degree will likely have had a more robust social network and broader general knowledge. In my opinion graduate degrees are when the utility drops off a cliff (except of course when you absolutely NEED that specific graduate knowledge - then it is essential). There is a ton you get with the added bachelors degree that is not at all related to your field and a network of friends in unrelated fields to your own also broadens your knowledge significantly. Software Engineers do not work in a vacuum just coding all day - they need to of course also be excellent general communicators and collaborators and there is real value in being able to translate high level technical concepts into language that less technical people can understand. That being said the gatekeeping of jobs to only people with degrees (especially considering how expensive it is in the modern world) is absolutely a problem. But I think that is more down to the cost of education (in an ideal world higher education would be free just as high school is). My bachelors degree is not at all related to the field I work in now but it gives me a huge leg up compared to pre college me.