I have a BSc in Comp Sci. I enjoyed getting it very very much. I have held three programming jobs, and I currently work for Google. My first (programming) jo

I have a BSc in Comp Sci. I enjoyed getting it very very much. I have held three programming jobs, and I currently work for Google. My first (programming) job didn't care about the degree, and I used virtually nothing from my degree. My second job, I think they probably wouldn't have hired me without the degree, but I used very little of my CS knowledge. I might have gotten the interview at Google without it (unclear, but I had strong internal references), but the interview process heavily depended on the sort of knowledge I got from my degree program. And I would have had a lot more trouble getting a visa without my degree; possibly prohibitive. And at this job, my CS theory skills are the least important part of my ability, but they are a necessary part. I'm also nearly the least-credentialed person on my team, FWIW. On the other hand, one of my high-school friends also now works at Google, is senior to me, got a visa, etc.... and has no degree. Overall, I think that 4 years of employment-while-pushing-yourself-to-learn is probably at least as valuable as a degree.... but some employers (many sweatshop ones, but also some awesome ones) won't believe that. Also, if you want to work in a country were you aren't a citizen, a degree is so helpful it's almost essential (never thought it'd happen to me, then it did).