The average starting salary for a new graduate with a BS degree in CS is $57,762. However the university does matter. When considering a University, ask them what the average starting salary is for their students. For example, the average starting salary for a new CS graduate from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $67,051. Our graduates usually have job offers six months before they graduate, and every one of them has a job when they graduate. Remember that the average graduate from some of the CS programs make less than the national average, and the average from some programs is higher than ours, so make sure you ask. Also ask for a list of where their graduates are living and what companies hired them. Cost of living and quality of life are also important.
Getting a job in CS without a degree is going to be difficult, and will probably pay half as much until you have some experience and have shown that you can do a good job. However, it can be done. After several years, the difference in pay could became negligible.