Do a degree if you want to, but not to further your career as a pilot. The only way to do that is to get your CPL/IR etc.
I'm 20 and after a (very early) medical discharge from the RAF I went after my CPL/IR, getting into a lot of debt in the process (but its worth it!)
94% average in theoreticals, and first time passes in CPL and IR later, I have just got my first job flying 737s.
Moral to the story - my friends are all entering their second or third year at university, and I'm going into the RHS of a 737.
Enough said!
Can easily say I don't regret for one second not going to uni.
Your choice though!!
JP