Well - I don't actually have a CS degree (I majored in Social/Economical Georgraphy some 20 years ago), but I would most definitely not have landed my first job without it. Having the degree is a general passport, it shows that you are capable of understanding non-trivial problems, etc.

Sometimes I feel that I missed out by not getting a CS degree, but mostly perusing various books makes up for those deficiencies.

If I had to do it again, and if I had the opportunity (College can be an expensive exercise) I would definitely get a CS degree.

Michael