[coletonodonnell]

I'm currently getting my BS in Computer Science with the University of Florida's Online Program, and I think that there is a duality between academic CS and applied CS, where the overlap is massive but college isn't particularly required. I find that many courses and tutorials online cover the topics well. Although these non-degree courses may not be of equal rigour, I leave them understanding the fundamentals needed to succeed in say an internship. By self teaching, I have proven that I know enough in my Freshman year of college to acquire an internship.

That being said, I think that someone with CS knowledge is always going to be more valuable than someone without. I really like teachyourselfcs, while in high school I skimmed a lot of the material preparing for what I had in store. I think that it's entirely possible to get good at CS with this method, but the issue is feedback and the stress associated with self teaching. Self teaching isn't always so glamorous as it is made out to be, a lot of people need the backbone of an actual program with structure than be thrown into a text book with courses that may go along with said text book. I think that entirely dismissing degree programs is equally as unwise as saying they're required, there is a lot of gray between the lines and I think that people should approach the issue with their strengths and weaknesses in mind.