I managed my career by first joining the Army, completing 60 hrs in business and then started the IT certification route. By the time I was 32, I had a six figure income and still no degree.
At 45, I was told by HR that I could no longer be promoted unless I had at least an associates. So I went and obtained that. At 50 I was told again, that unless I had a BS or BA, I could not be promoted. Working on that now, will be finished Aug 2018.
The degrees have not helped me improve my income as I still make 6 figures. They have helped the HR folks feel better about hiring me.
“At 50 I was told again, that unless I had a BS or BA, I could not be promoted. Working on that now, will be finished Aug 2018.”
My wife had same experience as you.
Unfortunately, in most cases that is exactly what a college degree gets you.