No doubt. I hear you about writing better to other people's tracks... I used to be the same way(when I used to write). I'll PM you with a media-fire link where I'll host up some mp3s. Listen through, and if you find any you might want you use let me know so I can shoot you the multi-trk.
About the degree though. Like I said, if your plan is to get into a studio and engineer records and produce eventually, then you're better off saving the 40k. Find a big budget studio. Stalk the owner or lead engineer. Bug and beg them until they agree to let you be a runner, then once they see your commitment and interest they'll start asking you to setup/strike rooms, patch cables on the bay and little technical stuff in the control room... that's how everyone has to start anyways. That's the best way to learn all the s*** they teach at those recording programs anyways... hands on at a real studio, watching people who are actually making money and music. I just saved you $40,000 dude! You owe me.