Snipeya66,
Purdue is an excellent school and choice as an Indiana resident. However, think about foregoing the Professional Flight Technology program. Instead, get an Engineering Degree (Nuclear,Electrical, etc) Whatever has your sincere interest to complete. You will have an excellent background for flying (engineering)and ability to earn money when/if airline business hits a dry patch in your future.
Start flying lessons now if able. If not, believe you would find many fellow Purdue students who possess the CFI and would be happy to fly with you and you will get all your certificates and ratings just like the Flight technolgy grads.
This minimizes your time out of the business of flying airplanes for a living just earning degrees (if doing so, you would be better off spending the extra years of study pursuing a masters degree) Airlines don't care if you have double majors, don't really care if you have an aviation degree. The old joke that a degree in underwater basket weaving is good enough is true.
Myself, I went to Parks College of St.Louis University and avoided the flight program and flew with of few of the gazillion CFI's they produced <g> and saved gobs of money and time. Got the engineering degree and all the certificates and ratings the Aviation major folks had and off to the races.
Whatever you choose, remember to encourage other young men and women who have the same disease you do. This forum is the internet extension of the generosity of many truly old folks who encouraged me in the "old" days of pre internet <g>
Also, remember this President Calvin Coolidge quote when it gets truly discouraging (and it may), but it helped me

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

Best in your adventure