[mwnorman2]

In my opinion, the industry wavers back and forth on CS degree or just 'git-er-done'. I remember the early computer 'craze' (1970's) when all you had to do was open a company called "Compu-NNNN" and money would flow. Later, people wanted to see diplomas, degrees, certifications so then lots of folks when to school: undergrad, or grad-school if you already had undergrad degree. Now, things are a bit different: information as well as the opportunity to acquire skills is global, no one place is 'ahead' of the other

My advice: choose a path you are comfortable with in terms of time, money.