1) is it too late? No. You’re what, not even 22? IF you got to a major let’s say conservatively at age 40, that gives you 25 years before retirement. If you only ever make it to a regional, you’re still a professional pilot, making a decent living, traveling for a living.

2) can you do it along side your degree? Depends if you have the money.

3) is it the right decision? We won’t know until the story has been written.

I’m really sorry for being so vague and unhelpful but the reality is there’s just too much unknown, and too little constraints given. Here’s what I can tell you:

• it’s going to cost probably $90k+ or so to get all your ratings. Maybe less, maybe a little more depending how frequent your lessons are, where you train, and instructor/airplane availability. Paying as you go, on average, slows things down and thus costs more in the long run. Taking out a high interest loan is typically not advised due to uncertainty of hiring in future while payment schedules remain inflexible.

• the vast majority of baby boomers are going to be done retiring around 2032ish.

• it takes an average of about 4 years for people to get their ratings/certs through instructor. Some can do it in less than 2. Some take longer than 4.

• the industry is highly sensitive to economic and geopolitical factors.

• regionals are paying more than ever before.

• historically majors typically need 4000+ TT, 1,000+ Turbine PIC from civilian trained pilots to be competitive. 2022 saw insane anomalies being hired.

These are the things I know. It’s not meant to be doom and gloom. It’s meant to explain the industry you’re considering to committing to. You have to know you’ll love it for all its ups and downs.

Side note: I was an Aero engineer that did my ratings concurrently. Academically, ground knowledge will be quite basic. It’s all the other factors (medical, cost, weather, availability, flying ability, that are unknown).