Its been said a few times above and it is ever so true.
Once you have a degree you have it for life. Your medical could go any day. Do you really want to have to wait 3-4yrs to compete with the 22 yr old grads when you had already been working for a few years.
Further, if you have a degree banks like to lend you cash. Further yet, what if you can't get a job in aviation straight away? If you have a degree, whilst you are eeking a living and waiting to get on the ladder you can earn a proper salary (with the right degree)
Yes, it will have little use in ten years but it will always show that more rounded person who has gone that little bit further whatever your age. And like veryone says if the CVs are similar another tick won't harm.
A degree is essential in this day and age it's not just a paper academic qual its a life qual.
I graduated in Microelectronics Systems and Artificial Intelligence in 1994 having had the best and worst 4 years of my life. I met people from all walks of life, travelled the world, met loves, lost loves made friends, lost friends but the experiences I had were those that can never be repeated.
You are only 18-22 once (well any age once but it all gets quite serious after that) and you musn't waste the chance to go. You have nothing to loose. The industry is in a state, go get a degree and do your ATPL exams in your spare time ready to go straight into flying trg when you grad.
GO please for pities sake GO.
VT