"I am worried that if I go the FBO route and get my instructor certs, I won't be able to find a job as an instructor"

You won't have any trouble finding a job as an instructor, especially if you are willing to go anywhere for one.

A couple years as a CFI, max, and you could fly 135 freight and be making 40K a couple years after that. Even in Billings. A couple years of that and, who knows, maybe you WILL end up flying big jets. I started out pretty much looking at things the same way you are now. Never thought I'd get this far...

I'm a big believer in FBO type training but agree that an academy is best for the CFI ratings as they do a lot of them.

By the way, I think you parents were right about UND/ERAU. You know what your loan payments would be right about now?