Get your undergrad in state, work after classes and during summers, and however else you fund the remainder, stay away from credit cards while in school. You should be able to stay under $10k in debt for 4 years of education (depending on the summer work you can get - and whether you can live with your parents during school/summers).
As for a “pedigree”, the bang-for-buck is much greater if you go to a tier-one school for a 2-year MA/MSc instead of the 4-year undergrad. During your Masters, you may have your tuition fully or partially waved (contingent upon 10-20 hrs a week of teaching/marking).
*waived
When I was at UCSD, I was a TA in physics and chemistry. In lieu of pay, I received 2 units of credit. Another 2 units of 'A' is good for the GPA. It was fun as well. In 1980, I obtained a teaching credential and taught a microprocessor programming and design class at Southwestern College. The income from that job financed my private pilot's license and otherwise supplemented the household income. My primary employment at the time was as a central office equipment engineer for Pacific Telephone.