All of the above except start the BS degree while flight instructing. Nothing crazy, a class or two at a time is doable

I’ll second that. I vividly remember taking my first courses and had my first online exam while on an ORD overnight. I was so worried about losing connection or failing. Grade came back an 88 and I never looked back. Years later, I had that piece of paper.

Ill add that it doesn’t have to be Phoenix edu or Kaplan college or some other “online college”

Most major 4-year universities now offer it all online. I did mine through Texas Tech and I have the same degree as a 22 year old who studied on campus. I know the University of Alabama does it and Arizona State advertises it a lot too.

Shameless plug, Liberty University has been nothing but amazing! Highly recommend them!

A kollage (:D ) degree is a social ticket. An indication that you have the social/financial backing to be in the upper middle class. Why does Delta care that you finished your collage (:D) degree in four years? It's universal knowledge that the costs alone would extend someone to at least 5 or 6 years in getting their kollege (:D) degree? Plus, I've yet to fly a plane that requires a degree to turn the engines. So why a degree and why 4 years? Well think about it. Who can afford to finish their degree out of high school in exactly four years? Mostly people with the social/financial backing, i.e. Peachtree City mansion families and the like. Or those whose families offer the right kind of support. College degrees act as social filters. Keeps certain people in and others out. Do I agree? Eh, doesn't matter, but that's what life is right now.

That being said, who can recommend an affordable online degree program for someone who maxed out their financial aid and loans?

I think I agree with this guy! I think a degree is way over rated, it clearly doesn’t make you a better pilot. Just more in debt. It’s a piece of paper that says hey you can be brainwashed by a bunch of extreme left ideas. I personally don’t have a degree probably will never make it to mainline even though I talk on the same freqs fly the same routes and the same passengers. Wait for it in and out of the same hubs. But I also view it as I saved $50,000 on debt. I ran my own company for 15 years was very successful sold the company for a lot of money. I fly for fun now... Do the Majors care about real world experience nope, do they care I took something that was nothing and made it into something successful nope... but hire some 21 years old fresh out of college with 2000 hours and let’s be honest no real experience bingo he’s the man because he has a paper that says so.... shanking my head.

Saved $50,000...
Potentially lost millions.

You don't need a degree to make the highest first year pay in North America but you better be able to fly.

Plenty of careers where you can have a million or two in the bank. Even *gasp* pilot jobs other than airline pilot! So don't be that guy where it's airline job or the poor house. Nothing in between. :rolleyes:

He said he sold his own company and flies for fun. Not sure what it was, but I would guess it might be worth more than an airline career.