Agreed. CS degrees do tend to insinuate some degree of focused study, but it's a unique field where you can put in the same focus outside of a collegiate setting and exit with the same result (for undergrad, at least).

I have a CS degree and have worked with brilliant engineers that were HS drop-outs. It has everything to do with a passion for learning. It still requires the time focused on the study of CS, but the setting is secondary.