If you have any doubt, the time to get out is early. It's not so much that you'll be 100k in debt (who said it costs 40k for certs...seriously?
Seriously? Try Embry-Riddle!
There are others out there where they'll ask for $59,000 for everything from PPL to Commercial plus time in sims, like ATP's Private to Regional 190 Day Fast Track Program. So, yea, not sure where you've been but there are schools charging that much and convincing students it's a worthwhile investment, even if they are taking out a loan. But ERAU, you'll pay about $100k after its all said and done. Either through scholarship, mostly military, parents or loans.
http://www.atpflightschool.com/airline_training_programs/airline_career_pilot_program/index.html