If you have the skills, and the passion for the work, on you resume: Undergraduate Studies: Univ of whatever This will get you through the door if you have a

If you have the skills, and the passion for the work, on you resume: Undergraduate Studies: Univ of whatever This will get you through the door if you have a good portfolio and if you can wow them in the interview, when the time comes for a background check, if they even ask about it, you can just explain your situation that you have N years of study, but couldn't afford to finish, and you don't think assuming debt is a valid path. As someone who hires, I'd go to bat for them if there was any concern irt the diploma and I thought they were a great fit. I would also look for work, at smaller companies, and sign up to some mailing lists for your area that have to do with your area of expertise, ie ruby meetups etc. Lots of job opps come from the lists.