WGU BSCS or Pierpont->UMPI->MS

[swellguy]

I can't answer your specific questions, but I can help you think about different things: think about which degree you want to get as a bachelor's, because that's the degree you will be sitting with for a long time if you get into the OMSCS program.  So, which degree will benefit you more if you ONLY get a bachelor's degree?

IMHO, I would get the WGU BSCS, because if you don't end up in the OMSCS program, or don't get around to it for a while, that's the degree that will benefit you the most now.  The UMPI degree will only be a check-the-box degree.

That is true the WGU BSCS would be more beneficial than UMPI as a check-the-box degree.
I'm not sure how much more valuable a BSCS vs a UMPI degree is to me though.
What makes the calculation a bit difficult is the fact that I already have work experience.
Like I feel that not having a degree at all does make job searching a bit harder and limits me a bit on potential overseas offers which often just require "any degree" for a work visa.

At this point the most significant ROI would be an MS, but I'll take some time to think about this.

For now I think I'll just continue on finishing the transfer courses I would need for the BSCS and UMPI BLS(BAS)
I've followed the transfer guides on the wiki for both and have nearly finished the requirements for both.
I'll also start the process for the Pierpont BAS since I think I've covered all the requirements for it.

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I agree! An important aspect of the OMSCS is that you can take as little as two classes a year, so you can focus on one challenging course at a time, and you can space out tuition so it's very manageable. If you get the BSCS now, then slowly work on the OMSCS, you will still have Georgia Tech on your resume as soon as you enroll. While not as good as a finished degree, many hiring managers will still give you credit for bettering yourself by taking on such a tough degree.

Couldn't this be said for the UMPI path as well, while working towards OMSCS I can have it listed as "in progress" on my resume.

I do agree though that if an MS doesn't work out I'd rather have the WGU BSCS instead of the UMPI degree.