A320fan, I'm pretty sure I know the "prestigious" 141 school in question, pretty sure I graduated from there as well, but I did elect to not finish my degree in aviation due to the cost of everything after the multiengine course, and bailed to take what seemed to be a pretty good job (nonflying) instead. Since then, the company I worked for went bankrupt, I was turned down for a flight slot in the military, being 9 months too old, and have accepted a job back at my old company now under new ownership. This is all within 1 year of leaving school. And I do have the student loans to pay back which you are dreading, and the payments are near the equivalent of a house payment.

I have been where you are at, and the advice I have to offer is.

1. Do what makes YOU happy. (sounds cliche, I know, but I have turned down what seem to be good job opportunities, just to get back into the industry)

2. Don't ever give up on your dreams. Currently I use my overpriced pilot ratings to fly my own plane (when I can afford it) and have found that what I really love is flying, whether or not I ever get paid to do it.

3. Get that degree in SOMETHING.

If you want some inside opinions or advice. Feel free to PM me and I will shoot you my phone number.