Skills are the undisputed winners. While a degree is a nice entry pass, companies now hire based on what you can actually build or solve. If you have the skills to handle AI or data, nobody cares about your college's name anymore.
In the 2026 job market, both college degrees and practical skills are important, but practical skills often have more immediate impact. Employers increasingly value hands-on experience, coding abilities, digital literacy, and problem-solving skills. A degree can open doors, but relevant skills and experience usually help you get hired faster and perform better on the job. Gaining both together is the ideal approach.