There are also a lot of really bad flying jobs. Money, home life, insurance, hotels, poorly maintained airplanes... you aren't just going to be handed the best job because you think you're awesome. You are competing against some really sharp people from all walks of life and a degree is pretty low bar to set. Thomas edison in NJ would even give you credit for your ratings and was entirely online for a regional pilots schedule a "4 year" degree in 2 if you tried.