As a direct entrant navigator I was on 'full receive' mode during training. The one graduate out of 100 was distinctly 'above' the rest of us. He was still odd 15 years later.
Look at the graduation lists now. About 9 out or 10 have a Science or Engineering degree often at Masters level.
Yes you get your first operational tour at 27. Me, I was on Ops at 21 and Flt Lt at 23.
Does the degree help? I think it does in the ultimate career progression but not early on. A Maths 1st was unable to add 2+2 when under pressure. 0859 plus 2 minutes became 0861!
I have almost completed my degree now and it is certainly very helpful although entirely irrelevant - humanities.
Never mind the quality, feel the width.