As someone who left mid-college to do software development work, I regret not completing a degree of some kind. (I was studying electrical engineering.) I wou

As someone who left mid-college to do software development work, I regret not completing a degree of some kind. (I was studying electrical engineering.) I would say, for me, it actually would have been good to spend a few years working in industry to get a view of what real world programming is like and gain some awareness of what doors might be closed to you without a degree. In this situation I would recommend being careful to not become dependent on the level of income that most software development provides. If you are cautious with your finances, you could decide to go for the degree with some money saved up as opposed to it feeling like a major financial hurdle to leave your job in order to go to school full time.