I have been in IT since 1995, and in my experience people with a BSCS have an easier time getting a job, and are usually working better jobs. Some jobs say fro

I have been in IT since 1995, and in my experience people with a BSCS have an easier time getting a job, and are usually working better jobs. Some jobs say from the get-go they're unavailable to people without a Bachelors. Here is one: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/sof/5058201264.html http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/sof/5058201264.html "Bachelors in Engineering or CS is a minimum requirement." Even if it's not a listed job requirement, some people like to see it anyhow. It doesn't matter as much when things are buzzing, but it becomes important during downturns like after 2000 or after 2008. It is rare to meet someone without a BSCS who can explain what a finite state automata is, or how you can prove a problem is NP-complete through reductions, and that sort of thing. Or even with less theoretical topics, they're less likely to know what second normal form is, or semaphore P&V's etc. Of course there are different scenarios and exceptions to every rule. Some people get a diploma while doing the minimum. Some people are superstars and learn theory without a diploma. People can get jobs without a diploma, especially in boom times. I would go back again to the economic downturns. In 2000 a lot of companies went under and people were let go. The same happened in 2008. You might be laid off, and will then be competing for a very limited number of jobs against people with as much experience as you, plus diplomas. You might think it might not matter, and some other people might tell you that doesn't matter, but that won't be much help when you're laid off, have a family to support and mortgage to pay, and job listings say like the above ad "Bachelors...requirement". Or even if it the job listing doesn't have that as a requirement, HR is taken aback when you tell them you don't have a degree. You hear complaints about people over 40 or over 50 not being able to find work in the Valley, imagine being that age and not even having a Bachelors. I can see someone, if they have to, working while going for their Bachelors. I can even see someone out of necessity cutting school down to one night/weekend class a week. For a young person to go into development without pursuing a Bachelors seems very risky to me. You'll be the first one thrown into the scrap heap when the economy sours, and by that time you might have a family to support. You don't want to have the realization you need a Bachelors when you're 35 with a family - between work, family and study you'll have no time at all.