PID,
Well done for researching and deciding not to go for one of the big schools. Your bank account will love you. I don't know much about schools but you may want to rethink your employment time frame. Some people wait much longer than a year to crack that first job. For many the first job isn't in an airline. You could get lucky and go straight to a jet but you need to think about other options too. You may find yourself instructing or flying air taxi. You may get the opportunity to work in ops at an airline.
It's a short route for some but for most it will take a lot of dedication and persistence. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.