Scorpion,

First off, take it easy there. These people are trying to help you. The reason people say "have a backup plan" is that they have these things called a mortgage, wife, kids, ex-wife, etc... and in aviation, there are two guarantees: you have lost a job (furlough, airplane was sold, downsized, etc) or you will lose a job. Life is expensive, and hard to afford without a paycheck.
I went to ERAU in Daytona. I have a degree in management of techincal operations (aka business). I flew at the local FBO for half the price with instructors that trained at Riddle. Finished my flying twice a quickly as my buddies who flew on campus. I didn't get the "riddle run around" as it is known. My business degree helped me get my first job with a corporate flight department.
I think the aviation degree is useful (shows a lot dedication), but when I was there the school was 86% male.... you have to love it to be there, lots of friends went back to "normal" colleges.
IMO, Middle Tennessee is pretty well known, as is Auburn, Parks... don't be afraid to major is something other than aeronautical science (or the equivalent). 50% of my friends are using their minor to pay the bills right now (Safety, computer science, ATC)...
Good luck.