Just as there are quite a few avenues open with an aviation degree... why does everyone think that the only thing you can do with an aviation degree is fly?????
While I agree with you that the major assumption is that all people can do with an aviation degree is fly, I will agree with the idea that with an aviation degree, one is limiting themselves to a job within that industry. This, at times like these, can be quite limiting.
Purdue has one, and only one, benefit and that would be networking. Purdue has a great alumni network and the department has some great connections within the airline/corp world. However, does this make up for a lacking education? Beware over the next few years as the honeymoon years with the new administration end. The new administration is much less concerned with the quality of education than with the amount of funds being raised, but I digress...
Exceptional students, no matter what degree program they are enrolled in, will always be able to score jobs and excel in whichever industry they desire. Movers and shakers will be movers and shakers. Those who don't fall into this extremely small percent of the demographic will be limited by the "aviation" title on a degree.
I made some great friends at Purdue, friends I will have for the rest of my life. However, the school was not worth 40k/year. Not even close. The maintenance on Purdue airplanes was fantastic. Working with dispatch varied on who was working, but on the whole took the fun out of flying. Instructors also varied in skill and competence. I had one bad experience on an end of course check with a simulated engine failure with the mixture.
Purdue is a name, a good one, but just a name. Whether it is Purdue's program or aviation programs in general, I'm simply not sure, but there surely was not a high level of academic value during my time spent there.
P.S. There are a plethora of government and private jobs that a Pol. Sci degree will get you (although a tiny percent of which are located in IN).