Let me elaborate. I started flying before I was old enough to drive. Spent a few years as an air traffic controller in the military. Ran my own business for 7 years. But none of that matters. I have to go take correspondence courses in things I don't even remember in order to get a flying job.
Dedication, critical thinking, communication skills are not the sole property of the college educated.
Don't get me wrong. I support a company being able the set whatever bar they want. They wanted a Degree, so I got one. But, don't be all high and mighty about " higher " education.