[anonemouse145]

The purpose of university for a first timer is to build connections to get an internship or job offer. If you come out without a job offer in hand that pays more for your degree, you failed. If like OP you went back because you already had/have a job, then yes, working with professors and other students is a fine thing.

You don't need real computer science theory until you're already a seasoned programmer, at which point you need a refresher anyway. Beginning programmers spend more time setting up environments and breaking down poorly written requirements, than traversing binary search trees by hand.

I wish someone would have explained to me what it's like finding work in CS before I took the degree, how "entry level" positions can often mean 4+ years experience, how Interview questions often have little to do with the job and everything to do with memorization.

Going to school to become a good programmer is wasting money. Going to school because you want to work a field that rewards having a degree, and starting relationships where someone is waiting for you to get your degree and hire you when you finish, is smart.