I attend IPU, which is more or less a Java school. What they teach us here is geared towards the lowest common denominator. I can confidently say that I could've learned everything IPU has taught me on my own. I've been teaching myself since high school, so I don't find picking up new stuff very difficult. If there's something I don't understand, I ask someone on IRC/Reddit/StackOverflow/HN. The world is full of smart, helpful people you can learn from :)
YMMV, depending on the school you attend.