I don't mean to suggest that you can't get great opportunities while self-taught, only that a sizable portion of opportunities will be closed off without a degree. There happens to be a glut of developer work at this time, so the consequences are dampened, but that won't be the case forever, better to get the degree when you don't need it rather than wait till the time when it makes a bigger difference. Also, I'll add that getting hired by an elite software firm is absolutely possible without a degree, but you have to be considerably above average intelligence and skill to get in the door, whereas a degree will give you an opportunity to get in the door even if you're not a star, providing you with the environment and resources to become one.