[protonimitate]

> College degree provides a convenient filter for us in hiring.

That's a damn shame. I don't agree with it at all, but can understand it.

To OP - if you want to work for these types of communities and decide you want the piece of paper, why not consider community college or a cheaper state school to finish out? In the end, the most valuable learning will come from self taught or job experience.

Imo 60k for zoom lectures is totally not worth it, but I also think that all degrees are overvalued, so ymmv.