This is kinda of funny but way back I applied for a job and the owner wanted someone with a degree. The last manager had a degree (loser).
I didn't have a degree but I had my real estate liscense and had taken the free H&R Block income tax course to do peoples taxes.
So I tell the owner I could do his taxes if he'd like or sell his business for him if he desired. He laughed and said I got the job. I said "Wait a minute, I want to check out your operation, look around, etc etc. Again he laughed, I think he respected my comment because really if I took the job I was commited and that was what he was looking for.
--------------
Imo, without a degree you can hit a ceiling where your co workers could be promoted over you because they have a degree. I knew at that point (and that time would come) I would start my own business.