@676,276
Only if the job field didn't ask for a bachelors degree besides the skills, I would've never worried myself about college/universities at all.
I even know the entire computer science resources and materials being available for free on github, still I've seen people with a professional certificate from a reputable institute having it easier than complete self learners. Also, socializing, networking, building connections around people with similar interests and presenting you and your knowledge in front of others is also a helpful opportunity an institute could offer.