You're right, it is a ridiculous amount of debt for something you'll probably never use.
Do you have the option of deferring for a year? I'd do that and go and get any job. It doesn't matter how rubbish it is as it's only for a year. You'll mature far faster than going straight into uni or full time flying study. Also, you'll have hopefully saved a little bit of money.
Oh, and if you think the uni debt is high, wait till you see what flight training will cost. I am assuming you'll have your parents assistance with funding the course? I do hope they know that the shiny brochures are just a sales pitch?
I would advise them to treat them like any speculative product, "past performance is not indicative of future performance - or, you can lose the lot"
Rather than ask around on PPRuNe, you'd be far better off going and visiting the said institutions and see which fits you.
I take it you know already that you can pass the class 1 medical?