A degree is essential for a career in academia.
Anything else, the credential might offer a few introductions. For learning things, there are many other ways to do that now.
That is essential if you want to advance to higher paying administrative positions. Let's say a person has an associates degree in accounting. After a lengthy time of paying their dues they can become a supervisor over a small accounting team, but it is unlikely they will advance to managing a major accounting department for academia, gov agencies and fortune 500 companies.