You will be no better off with a diploma. A degree will help you later on... maybe.
As arcticbeach said you will be better to get in the job market ASAP. The industry is hot RIGHT NOW. Do you want to risk waiting for 2 years and seeing what it is like then? Go start your PPL now and if you work really hard you could be done PPL/CPL/MIFR by the end of the year or next spring and leave all those BCIT guys in the dust still working on their PPL's...
I'd outline it for your instructor too. Don't be timid. Make them work for you and help you achieve your career goals.