I'd like to ask anyone with experience...

Someone told me that in order to succeed in computer programming one must attend university and get a BS in Comp Sci or a Bachelors in software engineering or something.

Someone else said that technical college training will allow for continued advancement.

Obviously one can find jobs with either training, and the degree will get you more $$$ than the diploma, but HOW MUCH is this difference? Can anyone give any actual numbers?

Also a lot of job postings might ask for a BS or "equivalent experience". How much is "equivalent experience" for someone who has taken say a 3 year technical program at a college, learning C/C++, Java, VB and some perl and COBOL and networking etc.?

Does all that extra math theory offered at university really make a big difference in the workplace?

Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated.