My advice, though I don't have a CS degree, is that it's better to have it and not need it, that need it and not have it. Sometimes you need a piece of paper. I could get incredibly solid in my skills, but it will always throw up a red flag that I don't have a related degree. It's simply harder for the average person to prove "related experience" even with OSS contributions when they could check off a box by having a degree.
Also, have him investigate multiple CS programs. Not all degrees are alike. Some are heavy theory, as you said, and some place an emphasis on software engineering.
As for debt, it's comparatively these days to get a moderate to high paying job in CS. If you have a degree.
My experiences do not mesh with your assertions. 100% of the employers I've worked for weighted OSS contributions (look ma, real code!) 10 to 1 over a degree. Furthermore all of the hiring managers I've spoken to have freely stated that a degree in CS proves nothing regarding competency as a programmer and they typically turn aside applicants with degrees but no experience.
Full disclosure: I've been coding professionally for five years now. I have a GED and 20 credit hours of college.
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My advice, though I don't have a CS degree, is that it's better to have it and not need it, that need it and not have it. Sometimes you need a piece of paper. I could get incredibly solid in my skills, but it will always throw up a red flag that I don't have a related degree. It's simply harder for the average person to prove "related experience" even with OSS contributions when they could check off a box by having a degree.
Also, have him investigate multiple CS programs. Not all degrees are alike. Some are heavy theory, as you said, and some place an emphasis on software engineering.
As for debt, it's comparatively these days to get a moderate to high paying job in CS. If you have a degree.
My experiences do not mesh with your assertions. 100% of the employers I've worked for weighted OSS contributions (look ma, real code!) 10 to 1 over a degree. Furthermore all of the hiring managers I've spoken to have freely stated that a degree in CS proves nothing regarding competency as a programmer and they typically turn aside applicants with degrees but no experience.
Full disclosure: I've been coding professionally for five years now. I have a GED and 20 credit hours of college.
That's actually reassuring to hear. I have a liberal arts degree, so I obviously can't lean on CS.
One of the most talented network admins I've ever worked with has a degree in History and spent his 20's working on cars. I wouldn't be concerned.