Considering the glut of employees, the minimum hiring bar for entry level is now a masters degree. Why? Because you have a nearly unlimited number of people that can code well, are young and have a masters degree. The person without the degrees is getting their application tossed into the bin at the entry level. There is no reason to consider them (Note, I do not agree with this, but this is the reality). This is very much a situation you can have your cake, and eat it too.