A "degree" in art that may or may not correspond to any real-world ability= who cares. Could be the same a difference between someone with welding skills, and someone who has a "degree" in welding history but has never welded.
The ability to create art that pays well and is in high demand (commercial art) = totally different story.
I personally can't think of a better career path, having lived it. I can always take literally 3 or 4 bucks worth of raw materials and turn it into thousands. Other than say, a recording career where one already owns all the equipment needed and (of course has the skills, connections, etc. to match) I don't know of another way to pull off putting in so little to get back so much.