Should I major in aviation or get my certifications separately?

Yes, get your pilot certs separately and go for the computer science degree. If flying doesn't work out as a career, you'll need a backup plan. It could also help you pay for flight training. Going to college for flying does not give you an edge. that is simply propaganda that aviation colleges want you to believe. I know, I did that much to my regret (got an aviation degree). Flight time and experience is what counts, not where you learned to fly (except possibly for military training). However, you don't want to take flying lessons "every month or so", you want a steady program of lessons, especially for the PPL and Instrument ratings. Take 2 lessons per week minimum, but it is est every day or every other day, so plan on doing training during your long summer breaks or every weekend. If you don't fly often enough it will take longer and cost more, guaranteed. After you get your PPL, you should fly at least once a month to stay reasonably current, and the answer is yes, you should be able to rent a plane near your college. Some colleges even have flying clubs. If you're clever, you'll figure out how to combine computers and aviation.