Am ERAU grad with Aeronautical Science. I have worked for many airlines and now work in education.
I regard Embry-Riddle (am not familiar with the other schools) as having a good reputation and a thorough program that certainly introduces to many nuances of the field. However, I also see the place as a factory. You learn to fly and you learn to fly using standard procedures, which is good for that airline career. I did my initial training at a local school, which meant that I could try unique things, as opposed to ERAU where you follow the syllabus very strictly.
An aviation degree doesn't necessarily give you an advantage over someone else with a non-aviation degree. Airlines want to see a degree in that it ensures them that you can handle a tough ground school workload.
If I could do it again I would have gone and gotten a more generic degree in business, science, accounting and then flown at the local school. Although, I a do not regret my time at ERAU.
CPL is a commerical license, while an ATPL is the same as the ATP in the US.
CPL (EU) = Commercial (US)
ATPL (EU) = ATP (US)
You study for an ATPL in Europe, while this doesn't exist in the US. In the US, you get a commercial, get some hours, do the ATP written and then the exam and get the license.