While a non aviation degree may be a better choice for a backup, significant time can be saved if you choose to get an aviation degree. It saved me over one year, and that can mean a lot of seniority.

Not that I like MPD or anything though.[/QUOTE]
I disagree...If you do it right, it will be a HUGE advantage to get your ratings through CFI before/during your freshman year and instruct while in school for another degree (while not a good job to make a living on, instructing is a great part-time opportunity). When you graduate, you will exceed regular minimum times for regionals which should mean (depending on reg. choice) a quicker upgrade. Not to mention, you get way more experience and in my experiance at the regional I'm with, you will also get more respect from fellow pilots. Add to that the fact that if/when your airline gets on shakey ground (as most everyone experiences at some point in their career), you will have a least more peace of mind than the aviation degree guy that life will go on in case of a strike or shut down.