rs21

you are correct till the time you finish your degree, you will be equivalent to a CCNA certified associates. But it's not true, associate and certification are two separate things. Certification means you are certified on a specific technology or products. But in associate, you will work on various technology,eg, Microsoft products, Cisco routers and switches and may be on Linux platforms also.

In future, certification will help you little more than degree, in case you are going to work on specific technology.In my opinion, u should go for CCNA, it holds more respect n recognition. It'll help you at your BS time.