Hey can anyone help out a new guy?

[Synicaal]

Hey all, just recently new to this forum! I have some questions about obtaining an Associate and Bachelors degree. I'm starting from scratch here, no college credits whatsoever. Enrolled in my teens but dropped out to join the workforce, now i'd like to get a degree. I would like to go into IT but not sure which route is my best option as far as getting my degree as quickly and cheaply as possible. So after doing some reading on this site(among others), i've come to the conclusion that WGU has some of the better programs for IT related fields mainly because you obtain IT certifications along with the sheepskin. But I realize without any college credits its unlikely they would accept me. Here are some of the routes I could take, I apologize if i'm way off base on any of this stuff, correct me if need be...

Would it be more efficient for me to rack up some CLEP credits(and other forms of credit), then apply to WGU?

Or should I pursue an IT related Associate degree through a Big 3 school, then transfer to WGU?

Should I just start and finish an IT degree at one of the Big 3 colleges?

Or maybe get an unrelated Bachelors degree at one of these schools and pick up IT certifications afterward?

Those who've worked in IT, any advise you can give me...I'm all ears. Again i'm starting from scratch here looking for a fast, efficient, and less expensive alternative to the mainstream college system. I appreciate any answers you guys can give me. Thank you

Just chiming in with this about WGU, I believe after you transfer credits in and enroll you lose the ability to transfer anything else in after that point. So if WGU is something you choose to do get all your transfer credits done FIRST. Also the big three isn't very cost efficient for an Associates degree. So unless it will directly help your career don't bother with it and go straight for the Bachelors.

If you plan on working or furthering a career in IT, degrees and certifications go a long long long way.