Air National Guard.

Avoid active mil, too long a commitment now (wings +10), and you might end up flying a desktop computer.

Any 4 year college and go to the local flight school. Least expensive route by far, but doesn't offer the ability to create connections in the industry (See FTB's roomate), that can translate to 2-5 years of a headstart.

a 4 Year university with a flight program (Purdue, Auburn, Ariz. Stat., Ohio State., a few smaller state schools (U Minn. St. Cloud, Mid. Tenn. St. Univ., etc.) Positives are lots of accredited internship oppotunities, many industry connections, reasonable prices(state schools), and also the option to change majors into many other areas and not have to change schools, lots of extracurricular options, and a more traditional "college experience".

Private 4 year schools (ERAU?), really, really expensive, but you do get the internship opportunities and industry connections that are very helpful. If the person decides to change majors to something outside aviation, transferring is pretty much the only option.

Any 4 year anywhere and then go to a pilot academy, AllATP's, knock out all the ratings in 9 months right after graduation (can be kinda pricey, but effective in the amount of time spent) get into flight instructing and onto a 121 job soon thereafter.