What are your thoughts on higher education? Does a having a BS, MS, or PhD really make a difference?

I hope so, as I'm doing a BSc myself. But I think the rigour is somewhat worth it.

I think they're definitey helpful. Probably not vital. I remember i did a BSc in computing which got me started on web dev, software dev, database design, networking etc which proved to be a great starting point. However when it comes to specialising in one and how quick each of these sectors move alot of the work/research has be done to yourself. Keep yourself current, keep yourself employable.

Plus it's a lot like working out in the gym. Yeah you can do it at home but you can probably do better in an environment with like minded individuals who can give help you/give you ideas or vice-versa which can improve your knowledge as well. Plus I think the structure is quite useful as well

I've got a BA... Liberal art school degree. Majored in CS and Physics. Lots of jobs want at least that, especially for young people.

I don't think a Masters or PhD is usually a requirement for most corporate work... The real requirement is being up-to-date with your skills and having enthusiasm for learning.

I didn't go to college. I picked up a book 6 years ago. I now have something that many developers don't.. Expierence. I've also noticed that a lot of jobs liked that I'm self taught. It showed that I can easily pick up new languages and learn fast.

Sometimes it can good starting point, or a foot in the door. Some companies are a stickler for a degree, but don't necessarily care what it.
Personally did two higher degrees (BSc, MSc), but don't actually use anything from them. Learned it all on the job

Well, the content of the bachelor is basically not preparing for the real life. People know it, the recruiter see some balls of steel for making it anyways

On the data science side it can make a decent difference. When I started working at my current gig last year there were 5 PhDs on a team of 6, and the 6th had an MS in computer science. For most jobs it's probably overkill. A buddy of mine from back home has a pretty decent gig developing at Amazon and only has an undergrad degree. So it depends on where/how you want to apply the skills as much as the skills themselves.

Personally I just got my first job as a junior software developer without any degree I'm completely self taught (a lot of trial and error) but I did find quite a few company's wanted you to have a degree when starting out, so I can see why a lot of people choose that route.

Well personally I have a BS in computer-sci which I feel was a waste. Most of my marketable skills are self taught and looking back I can identify that most of the classes I took thought me opinions and not the true "science" of computing.

If my company didn't require it I wouldn't have it.

@Konsti well said!

I think the degree is to prove that you have the ability to learn abstract concepts and are more well rounded than others. You have been subjected to a broad range of topics which has hopefully expanded your viewpoint and allows you to come at problems with multiple approaches. Is it necessary? No. Is it helpful I think so. But to put that into perspective I didn't land a job at Amazon because of my bs degree. It was my drive and motivation.

@konsti the bachelor degree is all about preparing for real life. Real experience with personal responsibility, deadlines, long-term projects... These are all things that employers expect from bachelor-degree holders. Sure, the pure technical environment will most likely be different from school to job, but all of the concepts translate.

So what about the ability to apply concepts to solve different problems? Well, that sounds like what I need to do homework. Or a feature request...

@error13 well Deadlines and responsibility can be learned in school. But what about software architecture, patterns, qualitymanagment like test coverage(Are u able to write a basic test plan), continues integration, scrum, nosql, ... i finished 2009 and the lessons were about old school stuff while only scratching it. i got penetrated with math(hail the induction), sql and c. what about soft skills ? thing that really matter needed to be learn by yourself.

@Konsti The thing that really matters is that you know how to learn and how to apply concepts. How you gain these skills doesn't matter much. You can get them through school or through self study.

As far as learning how to do really specific technical tasks, like the ones mentioned: test plans, architecture, etc? Those are things that I learned on the job that I got from having a college degree... Companies that hire new grads know kids won't know everything, but that they can learn it.