New to Java

I've been asking myself if its really worth it to go for a bachelor's degree on my country, problem is that there's no software engeneering or computer science career, instead there's a system engeneering and ITT(i dont know how to say it in english :( ! does telematica sound any familiar >_>; ).

Instead i've started to study for certifications such as CCNA and SCJP, i plan on being a CCIE on Routing and Switching and get my ME certification since i'm interested in cellphone apps ^_^.

So far i'm doing good on both cert paths, but some people tell me that you need a bachelor's degree to "be someone", and i think thats a strange comment to say, since some of the richest people in the world didn't even finish college.

Anyway, question is, is it better to have various certifications or to have a bachelor's degree, and if i don't get a bachelor's degree but i get really good certifications, will i gain more money or will i be able to be competitive?

I'm 20 years old and i found out what i really like this year(some people don't even find what they really like on a lifetime), but what i don't want to do is to take a path where i won't be successful nor competitive.

Also, last but not least, how much are you guys gaining being java programmers, did your bachelor's degree really helped you out? Or is it just a superficial title that let's you work on large companies.