Arguably, the biggest benefit from an aviation degree isn't your ratings or the major/university name on your diploma...but the networking opportunities an aviation program affords.

You'll know people who end up across most every segment of the aviation industry and have alumni/industry connections via the program (such as internships) that a non-aviation major simply can't have.

Of course one had to maximize those opportunities and take advantage of them...

There is no "best" way, simply pro and con and each person had their own "best value" in terms of dollars, time and experiences.