Sure -- I'm not disputing that the primary reason for a strong CS background is to be a better engineer (which would of course translate in less tangible ways t

Sure -- I'm not disputing that the primary reason for a strong CS background is to be a better engineer (which would of course translate in less tangible ways to employability, like having more impressive projects and promotions). I just already assume that these online mostly free options are equivalent to if not better than your typical 4-year CS degree in terms of gaining a background in CS. In my mind, the reason to pay for the 4-year degree as opposed to a program like this is employment. The (non-HN) mantra usually goes, "having that piece of paper opens doors." So, I think it is relevant to ask these questions regarding employment, as that is usually a big part of the justification for spending money. Further, it is often not accurate to attempt to draw a distinction between the two on the basis of educational quality.