Perhaps this is rude....

[theonlyski]

I think the answer is, it depends.

I have an AOS from a school that long ago closed its doors and was nationally accredited. Technically I think it's a real degree, but I don't count it as one.

I make more than two of my friends who have their bachelors (combined). I also currently make more than my fiance who is a MD (though this is about to change when she finishes her fellowship and starts practicing). I just have a lot of real world communications experience from the military and I let my work speak for me. In my current job, I've been here a bit over 4 years and have risen from the newest Network Administrator to the Network Architect (bypassing the senior position completely), solely based on my work and performance.

I'm pursuing my degree as something that I've always wanted to do and a "check the block" for later in life and I expect no financial improvement on a basis of having one.

It depends on the industry and the type of work you want to do. I love networking and figuring out problems that stump me and my teammates, it just so happens that they pay me well enough that I am fine doing what I am doing for what I am paid. I could go get more, but it's not always about money.