How many software engineers don't have a degree?

The proportion of software engineers without formal degrees has increased due to alternative education paths like coding bootcamps and self-directed learning.

What Surveys Says

A 2018 Stack Overflow survey revealed that approximately 27% of professional developers did not hold any type of college degree. Additionally, a 2024 Statista report indicated that 41% of software developers had bachelor's degrees, over 25% had master's degrees, and around 4.9% held professional degrees, suggesting that a notable segment of developers may not possess formal degrees.

These statistics highlight that while many software engineers have formal education, a significant number have entered the field through non-traditional routes, emphasizing the industry's openness to diverse educational backgrounds.