To be honest, I started to see the decline of the four year degree in the mid 90s. It was push so hard that a person had to have one if they wanted to succeed. So, people went to school and got shit degrees to jump through the hoops. It is what we were told to do.

The reality is that we were being sold a product from higher education that is, in reality, worthless. Unless you are going for a professional degree, you are far better off getting your associates and being 2-3 years ahead on experience compared to your counterparts.

Now, that isn't to say that experience trumps all. You still need to educate yourself on the side and grind like there is no tomorrow.