There are other providers requiring less classroom attendance but no less work such as AGS -
http://www.agschools.com/ - who offer a DISTANCE LEARNING option to maximise your learning of the material in the most flexible way for you and minimise the expensive (time & money) stay anywhere other than home. Count on more than the minimum number of days due to jetlag recovery and FAA written tests, as well as class and then exam on last day (if you are assessed ready).
Licence issue does not depend on the 40 hours employer training - that is however necessary for an aircraft rating on the licence but is hard to attain unless you have right-to-work in the USA. Most non-US carriers accept the licence alone as a licence to learn and will then train you for their specific operations.
If there is an EASA licence coming, be sure to check any dispensation for ICAO licences and also which decade the EASA licence will become mandatory before doing the FAA licence. However, with the current exchange rate AGS is a well priced option if you can truly dedicate yourself to the tasks they set.