I think the easiest path into tech is through internships. Being a student at a well-known university can help get you in the door for good internships, but it doesn’t have to be an expensive private college. Some schools also have a “second bachelor’s” program in CS which might get you into the kind of internships you want.
I was in a similar situation as you. I did a 3-month “boot camp” and then worked at an unknown startup until FAANG recruiters started to email me, but obviously YMMV.
Yeah the main thing with OMSCS is that it's part-time and apparently some companies require you to be a full-time student in order to intern. I'm scared I'd be limited if I do OMSCS.
In terms of the bootcamp pathway, I feel like I have the foundation to teach myself the skills I need but it seems like the one positive thing that can come out of the bootcamp for me are the potential connections and job placement I would be able to get.
That was my experience. I already had enough skill to be a junior dev but I needed the connections (internship opportunities) that the boot camp provided.
I was in a similar situation as you. I did a 3-month “boot camp” and then worked at an unknown startup until FAANG recruiters started to email me, but obviously YMMV.