Best Computer Science degree?

[Merlin]

@Merlin what if he is a web dev who never had exposure to the academic side of DSA, computer architecture, computer graphics, artificial intelligence, discrete math or networking? What if on the job he encountered situations where he found his basic CS knowledge lacking?

I didn't say the OP should ignore the CS degree, but to focus on a degree that can be finished quickly... particularly given they are already working in the field and don't need the degree for job hunting. If they have areas of weakness in the fundamentals, those can be developed while pursuing the CS degree. As you mention, it is also a good place to learn about aspects of CS that might be lacking for someone whose programming experience is less broad.

Then again it really depends on what they want. We have had this argument before, but it is my opinion that for 99% of the people who are just looking to be programmers, the more esoteric aspects of computer science are unnecessary and a waste of time. In fact, I've always found that my best software engineers are those who taught themselves. Yes, many of them don't have higher math skills or knowledge of some of the other aspects of CS, but most will never need those skills on the job. Most of the roles that need those types of skills necessitate SME's who are brought in for a specific job. Often these are contractors and don't stick around after the product ships anyway.

In any case, my point is that once they get their CS degree, they are free to study anything else that interests them. If they discover that they're interested in deeper aspects of CS theory then that is when moving towards a master's or PhD in those areas makes sense. Most of the CS programs that we're looking at on this forum aren't going to offer a lot more than CS fundamentals anyway, so I am just suggesting that they not spent a lot of time on that aspect when there are so many better ways to pick up deeper knowledge in CS.