[genwin]

Once while applying for a major company I asked if my lack of degree was an issue, since it was supposedly a requirement. The interviewer said "Our CEO is a college drop-out. We don't care!" When the OP needs to work for Big Corp., he could apply to jobs that say "degree or equivalent experience". There are thousands of them.

A degree is nice to have, but for the price plus opportunity cost (perhaps $200K for the OP) it may be a net negative.

I too have a 40-something friend finishing his degree. He does feel it would have helped his career.