I think college degrees are just a bunch of HR bs. I have one, in Criminal Justice, and during my last furlough I applied for the city police department. Aced all the tests and physicals, had been flying for years, had a family and never had been in trouble.( basically a well rounded, respectable adult vs. a 22 yr old kid) I didn't make it for one reason or another. ( I blame it on few spots for hundreds of applicants, and Equal Opportunity standards)

Yet I am allowed to pilot a 265 pax a/c.

My degree has nothing to do with flying and has no bearing on my skills, or knowledge of aviation.

However, Legacy carriers have to have some way of sifting through thousands of résumés. ( the HR effect). Flight times, college degrees, and recommendations are a necessary evil.