[hsmyers]

The diploma and $5.00 will get you a mocha at your average coffee shop. Seriously, the question is too general for a specific answer. Best I can come up with is the classic 'It depends'---specifically on the details of the degree. Is the emphasis on programming? Algorithms (care and feeding there of)? What approach does the degree take towards hardware? Given advances at the quantum level this last takes increasing importance. What does the degree holder plan on doing with same? Will the details attract those who are hiring? Those are just a few of the questions that come to mind without really getting into the problem posed by the question. Think of it as a crap-shoot and roll the dice---see what happens...