My success despite a degree has been defining for me and my story as an adult. I feel like an outlier on this subject for many reasons. I was a foster kid, no family, totally self reliant etc. at a very early age. I am a Software Consultant / Senior Business Analyst now. I consider myself very successful by measure of accomplishments and income both of which seemed absolutely impossible while growing up. Having had obtained software specific certifications along the way helped the most. I had enrolled and dropped out of collage so many times right after HS. I not only hated it but refused to take on any debt and my day job always had to come first. I leveraged any and all work experience to continue building my resume and credibility and simply worked my ass off proving myself. Lack of degree has always been an insecurity of mine when looking through other people's eyes or in an interview but thankfully after my 20's it didn't seem to matter anymore - just the relevant work experience. I'm so grateful for the success I've had despite not having a degree. I don't think that is the norm and it definitely wasn't the easy route. I think I mostly just missed out on that normal part of life being a college kid / the social aspects / and not having a well rounded education. Either way, I count myself very lucky.