[beffbernard]

In my experience there is no direct correlation between a developer being good or bad based on whether they had a degree or not. However, what I did find was that someone who had completed their undergrad is generally capable of thinking at a higher level and can work through harder problems. IMHO, a University shouldn't be about training students to go into the workforce but to teach them how to effectively think and solve problems, regardless of discipline.

[alex_stoddard]

I would argue the presumption that college is critical to developing higher critical thinking is a damning indictment of pre-college schooling.

[ojbyrne]

Why? It's a pretty simple system - elementary, middle school, and high school are about laying the knowledge foundation for critical thinking. University (grad school really) is about actually practicing that.

You need a body of generally accepted knowledge to actually be a critical thinker. Most people I meet don't lack the critical thinking, they lack the body of knowledge.

[beffbernard]

I generally agree with that statement but I wasn't making any presumptions only stating my observations. College is not critical to developing higher critical thinking but it certainly doesn't hurt.