Your $35,000 / yr is no where near the peak. If you are average to below average as a developer then getting a degree could help (entry level out of college see

Your $35,000 / yr is no where near the peak. If you are average to below average as a developer then getting a degree could help (entry level out of college seems to be ~$80,000 in NYC/SF). If you have some heavy contributions to F/OSS or an extensive github profile, then you have already have a lot of nerd cred to cash in, and getting a degree is not as necessary. One of my friends is a college dropout. He has been programming for 15+ years now, and is one of the most productive and thoughtful developers I know, earning roughly $150k / yr. The lack of a degree has made it difficult to get past the front door of large companies, but it does not stop him from getting CTO solicitations from well funded startups. You also frame this question as an all-or-nothing decision. This is simply not true. You can test out the waters by taking a few classes part time while you are working. If you like it, keep going. If you don't like it, figure out what it is you don't like, and adjust your direction.