Have you observed any pattern in your workplace regarding a XYZ school consistently producing the best programmers/engineers?<p>Take into the account the depth and breadth of knowledge, domain knowledge, skills and efficiency of getting things done. All combined.<p>Were they CS grads or some other related major?
People with a background in music always seemed to make good programmers. Their education background didn't seem to matter. PhDs that I've worked with, in whatever field, have been a mixed bag. Some were great, a couple of them were barely tolerable gas bags.
The best ones had BS in math (mostly pure math not applied).
The second best ones had physics degrees (from BS to PHD).
The WORST ones BY FAR had PHD in CS (typically AI/ML focused), absolutely atrocious coders and engineers.
Many of the best people I worked with didn't attend relevant education. They either came from a completely different area, or they were already busy with work so didn't start/continue college.