I read through this entire thread and I think the last post was the only one to mention internships. My story:

I went to one of the expensive schools, got an aviation degree, and have a metric a$$ ton of student loans. Right after graduation I did an internship at one of the best reagionals(at the time) and immediatley after, was hired as an FO at a dirrerent regional. After 2.5 years there I took a street CA job (and about a 10k/year paycut) at another regional, where I will be on Reserve for a VERY long time. I am 25.

I have learned the following:

1) A degree is a must, but it doesn't have to be in aviation.

2) Internships are one of the best ways to network and "guarantee" your self a job when you someday meet the quals. My mistake was taking an internship with a regional. As it turns out, It is not hard to get that first job with a regional when they are hiring, and if they aren't hiring, the internship isin't going to help you anyway. On the other hand, more than a few people have done internships with majors, then built 2500 hours as a regional FO, and jumped right into the right seat at that major by 25 years old.

3) There are schools (and UND may be one of them) that offer the Big school name, many degree programs along with flight, internship programs with major airlines, and are not redicoulously expensive. (Its nice that your parents are paying for college though)