$60,000 seems to be a little high. I'm going to a state college in Oklahoma and with the current rates you could get all the way through MEI for about $35,000 to $40,000. Granted the planes here arent fresh off the line and the spring time weather sucks in Oklahoma. Snow in the middle of March and tornadoes in February . I would also advise you to talk to people who have gone through Delta Connection Academy and see how their experience was. As for the instructor pay, the instructors here make $20 an hour and cost of living is a lot less. I'd recommend getting ur private at a local FBO before going to a 141 school. It will be cheaper and will give you great contacts. But I'm pretty new to aviation so I'm sure there's people on here who will prove how wrong I am and blow everything I said to pieces. Good luck with your training and hope you find a great fit at a college or university.