Usually if you buy the best you have the best . For example I train boxing, I've tried a lot of gloves, there are gloves from 10 USD up to 300 USD, when people start think that a 300 USD pair of gloves is a waste of money. But when you are expert you can feel the difference and you would change your mind, for sure you will feel difference because training with cheap stuff will destroy your hands and wrist... this is just one example.... I'm not comparing this to education in USA.
Anyway I have no idea about how education system works in USA, I know that is a BIG business, there are a bunch of schools everywhere and all of them try to get your money especially with a wild marketing. I think is the same with also flight schools without degree.....
Getting a good education and flight training for me is fine, waste money no. Every wasting of money is for idiots, even tough if you won the lottery...
You said that many people run from Embry Riddle only after first semester?
In fact I found this site with statistics of schools. Graduation rate in Embry riddle is very low 55%:
https://www.niche.com/colleges/embry...daytona-beach/
But I've seen the that in Florida institute of technology graduation rate is only 58% not so far from ERAU.
https://www.niche.com/colleges/flori...of-technology/
Why you said that Florida Tech is the best aviation school with degree and probably the best EASA training in the world?
Do you think also a Easy-jet training program from L3 or CAE is a waste of money?