This sounds like the age-old conflict that computer science students have long bemoaned: computer science is not software engineering.
If you're interested in algorithmic development and the actual theory of computer science, you'll probably enjoy most four-year degree programs in that area. If, however, you're studying computer science because you want to write software -- and that's what matters to you -- you're probably going to be frustrated that the coursework veers more strongly towards the theoretical.
I think that most college degrees are more about showing some sort of credential for inexperienced people than providing solid value in and of themselves, but I also don't think they're completely useless. It really depends what you're trying to do.
If you're interested in algorithmic development and the actual theory of computer science, you'll probably enjoy most four-year degree programs in that area. If, however, you're studying computer science because you want to write software -- and that's what matters to you -- you're probably going to be frustrated that the coursework veers more strongly towards the theoretical.
I think that most college degrees are more about showing some sort of credential for inexperienced people than providing solid value in and of themselves, but I also don't think they're completely useless. It really depends what you're trying to do.