Deciding on how to learn your craft but to pursue formal education in art school or self-taught?

Not many people have the luxury to attend college/university. So, let's say if one has a huge load of commitments and unable to afford tertiary education; can't pass for education loan or can't even score scholarship..
Will it be alright to self-taught from sites like Youtube, Skillshare or Udemy; then slowly create your portfolio overtime?

In creative industries, is it really important to earn atleast a diploma to score a job?
If self taught, what are the chances of getting a job in a big company? Let's say a comic artist trying to score in Marvel? Or for a local example, an animator in Animonsta studio?

If wanted to be self taught, is learning your skills from the internet would be sufficient? Is there any tips to self-learning?

What are your views on this? Pros and cons?

I would say that having a diploma or a degree is somewhat still important here in Malaysia. But for design/arts, I would say that how you communicate and present your work are far more important than a piece of paper that shows where did you study. I have a bachelors degree in Information Technology but now I am a UX designer. I did learn UX design by myself through online materials.

If you're talking about big companies, they will definitely want you to get a proper certification. Honestly I haven't met anyone who wants to pursue art/design not being able to afford their education. It's kinda a rich-people field.

It depends, I came from multi media, work a short while as graphic designer, then going on self thought.

On ts question here is my experience truth. You don't need to be rich to pursue art, but you need to work extra hardcore if you ever want to be successful in art field, given the factor that our country is more industrial base then expression base.

If you have the money to go to an art school it will cut out what you need for company.

If you don't have the money, then start small. What you need to do is climb the longer ladder. I start out making design and logo for website and logo selling sites. Youtube mostly give you some basic, it does not explain on the things you might not know, so saving up some money and pay for short course from well known artist who usually offer a good package is a starting point towards being a better artist.

Once you can draw fairly ok look for lucrative things to draw, having artstation and deviantart to set up and sell the stuff you draw for cheap fastest sale usually are female portrait and matte painting.

As time goes by more and more people will contact you for work. When you get to a point you can self sustain set a side a portion of your earnings for college, go for good but small college (that isn't super big or famous) the course from those college is much cheaper then the big college. Get a deploma or degree. Then you can start look for company.

I find company is more restrictive in what you can or cannot do, but that's just my opinion, some people enjoy a freelance life while others want a company life.

However, you are going to do more work then what more fortunate students do in college due to the fact that

1. You are on your own
2. Your starting work has to make money to keep you supported
3. You have no guide in what to do next
4. You have to endure criticism much harsher as your critic are customers, way worst then what a mentor would say
5. Time is against you as you will need to learn fast and be able to draw product ready in a short period of time
6. If student practice 6hrs a day in art you will prob have to be 12hrs a day
7. Same like student you eat, sleep, sh*t, play all mostly have to focus on practicing as much as possible

Last piece of advice is to do research on what your trade is worth, if you offer too low people will just take advantage of you and dump a sh*t load of work for cheap, then you will stuck with never ending work that fetch little and stall your progress. So make sure you don't go undercut price just to have that extra few dollar for the day.

Im became a full time artist ever since i settle my highschool. Basically in fine art field. Nothing digital or computer art related. My advice to you is its gonna be very very hard if you dont have or go through any art school. Going to school will help you in knowing people and also learn from the right art people. If you decide to venture into digital art or anything computer art related, a certificate will help you. But if you doing fine art like comics or sending artworks into galleries and all, dont waste your time in art school. Spend time in reading, practice, go to art exhibition, talk to people there and go back practice again. Make it perfect. Your art will speak and your behalf if its good. But, its never gonna be an easy path. It will be super worth it once you achived your goal. Doesnt matter what you do in life. Idk what im babling about but yeah hahah