I agree that the whole "do it as a backup" suggestion is nonsense. After a number of years, any degree loses the marketability it had at conferment. Also, you are correct that in the context of being a pilot, all degrees are pretty much equal.
Why then, buy the most expensive one available? "Doing what you love" isn't a blank check for tossing common sense and self-preservation to the wind.
Your calculations are inaccurate. That should be intuitively obvious given ERAU's tuition figure alone. These figures are resident tuition and fees only.
PSU $13796 x 4 = $55184 (+ $54000 ATP's PPL and Airline Fast Track = $109184)
UCLA $7143 x 4 = $28574 (+ $54000 = $82574)
UF $3330 x 4 = $13320 (+ $54000 = $67320)
ERAU $25490 x 4 = $101960 (+ $40000 flight training, an unrealistically low estimate) = $141960. This doesn't include instructor ratings, as they are not part of the degree program, and DEFINITELY not part of the estimate.
Yes, I went to ERAU for three semesters. Hopefully, it's the worst mistake I'll ever make.
Last edited by Uncle Bose; 01-23-2007 at 07:48 PM.