Please help me get through this. Why is everyone so determined to make me a pessimist?

I think your missing the point. Your friends and family are not trying to be pessimistic, they are upset because you are leaving and going so far away. New Orleans is a big change so they look at it only from a negative view point. The money aspect is just another negative from their view point. It will cost plenty of money for you to go with no guarantees that you will have a high paying job waiting for you when you graduate. I have a nephew in New Orleans. He learned underwater welding and makes big money. That makes it easier for his parents that he is so far away, because they know he will have a more comfortable life. If you keep being positive about the prospects ahead of you, I think you will find that they will come around. Let them know you will always stay a part of their lives. Reure them that this is what you want and it will be good for you. With enough encouragement, I think they will come around.