In none of my interviews (Instructor, Charter, Freight or Airlines) has anybody ever asked me about my major or even the school I attended. None.
Heck, airlines don't even require your major be aviation oriented. You could stay around Lincoln and save some money by going to a Ju.Co. there and then transfer to UNL and study anything you want while getting your own flight instruction out at the Lincoln airport.
There are a million ways to skin this cat and the best way changes based on which person you ask.
The cost will vary widely depending on numerous things. The best thing to do is to sit down with a calculator and try to guesstimate a total between survival, tuition and flight school.
My numbers are *probably* not realistic anymore but I spent 35,000 on flight school.