Also, one reason some jobs prefer applicants with degrees is because university completion shows that you have some ambition and willingness to work hard toward a goal that is several years away, in the face of deadlines and stress, and possibly financial risk also. They know you've pulled a few all-nighters to get through.
In other words, you're gone through a pretty tough four year (or more) project: to produce a degreed version of yourself.
That degree shows that you can work, even if you don't have employment experience.