I hadn't finished my degree, worked in the industry (full time as a full member of a normal team, just like anyone else) for half a decade, and was still being asked by my employer and several prospective employers when I would finish my degree. They made it very clear that they didn't care that I was doing the work just like everyone else, they wanted that degree no matter what. I'd even been turned down for jobs due to the lack of the degree, not caring about the industry experience or the numerous certifications. It was the degree that mattered.

This wasn't businees-side jobs, this was the tech industry, all around the country (I was willing to relocate). Being a college dropout, no matter what the reason and to a certain degree, no matter your skills, still hurts your employability in the US.