The “majors” are not the end all for everybody.
Even having a degree is no guarantee they’ll even give you the time of day.
Most pilots don’t end up at a Major so getting a degree is 50/50 to me.
I don’t have a degree and fly long haul cargo.
It sure beats 5-6 legs/day in a 737 with SouthWest but doesn’t pay as much.
I would emphasize you do this debt free at the pace that your income allows.
Save at least $10k before you start so you won’t have do many delays during your Private training.
After that pay as you go.
Market won’t always be as good, nobody can predict what happens in a year and you don’t want to be left holding a $60k-$90k debt with no flying job in sight.
PPL-IR-CPL-CFI, instruct for at least 500hrs before you take the next step.
Instructing is hugely rewarding and will teach you many things.
Also intended to diversify your “portfolio” and generate additional footprint to fall back on in case of an economic downturn in aviation.
With 750hrs total time head to Alaska and fly cargo or any other place that give you loads of Instrument time and approaches.
Get your ATP and start working on your PIC time.
In 5 years from today you could be right seat flying a wide body long haul cargo.