Art Schools VS Self taught

[hermit]

Is having a degree in arts actually helpful in getting an art related job?
Does art directors actually care about it?

For a long time I've been reading that all that matters is portfolio, that getting a degree is a waste of money (like here: https://medium.com/i-m-h-o/dont-go-to-ar...8c5efd45e9 ), but lately I've been having doubts.

Doubts intensified especially after reading this article, written by an art director: http://www.gcastellano.com/arttips/2015/...art-school . Few quotes:

• I’m sure I got my first design job (at Simon & Schuster) due in large part to having RISD on my résumé. 
  
• “Minimum Requirement: a four-year college degree.” Look familiar? If you check the job boards, you’ll find counterargument number four: Full-time, career-track positions require a degree. I’ve hired quite a few full-time book designers and interns, and in every case, I’ve asked for a degree.
  
• I suspect that most illustration we see published today is good because the illustrator went to art school.
  

But author at the same time admits that:

• (...) when my designers and I hire freelance illustrators, we don’t look at your degree.
  
  

So which one is it? Is degree important or not?
Help me, I'm so confused...