Is a Computer Science Degree Still Valuable in 2025?

As a senior software engineer without a CS degree, I can say that I often wish I had one. My background is in business, and I've taught myself all my coding skills. There are times when I feel like I'm missing out on important concepts that a CS education might cover. However, I think the importance of a degree is becoming less significant as many successful developers are self-taught or come from non-traditional backgrounds.

A good point to consider is how people learn. Before the internet, education was all about textbooks and in-person classes. Now, with resources like online workshops and AI tools, the delivery of learning has changed drastically. It's not so much about whether a degree holds value, but about adapting to new learning methods that could be more cost-effective.

Totally agree! I started coding in high school and I’m glad I didn’t stick to the CS route. Many people I know don’t learn much valuable in college, and honestly, I feel I’m much ahead in certain areas due to hands-on experience. It seems like the gap between degree holders and self-taught developers is narrowing as long as you’re motivated.

I think we may see a shift where employers want to test candidates on their ability to debug AI-generated code instead of just relying on GPAs. Colleges seem slow to align with these needs, making the relevance of what they teach more questionable. It’ll be interesting to see how hiring practices evolve.