I can't express how exactly true this is. Yes, with a certificate you learn about the physics of flight. However, with college level physics and chemistry courses you MASTER the physics of flight. You gain an in-depth level of understanding that can only come from many years of study in these areas. THIS makes you a better pilot, and I don't care what any body says to the contrary....it is true. College gives you the knowledge to draw educated and calculated conclusions based on the course study work you have been through. There is no replacement for this. Do you think the guy who designed and engineered that airplane your flying gained his knowledge from just "watching somebody else". Heck no, he spent many years of hard work in college learning structural mechanics and stress analysis so that our planes can take what ever we pilots throw at it. And I hope he had a 4.0 GPA!

Really as a pilot, having a degree is the best career move you can make.

Godot.