Rooms rent for $600-$650 and there should be no shortage of potential renters with 3 colleges and metro station nearby. 

However, does anyone have any advice as to whether or not I should just tackle these loans as fast as possible or consider stockpiling money (while making minimum payments on loans) to launch myself right into REI?

Check out the nearby members and network at https://www.biggerpockets.com/meet, it will help you a lot to find partners that can help you out in investing.

I am being told by a nearby landlord with identical buildings that the portion of his bill for sewer is a 3rd of mine.

You can find nearby experienced members you can network with here https://www.biggerpockets.com/meet

I don't know your market but I would stockpile cash as you learn more.

@Steven Gillmer ...Well, most investors have a pretty good idea of what their investment real estate is worth, whether that is because they have had a recent appraisal, or whether they are still actively buying similar properties, or whether they regularly track nearby sales of similar property.A lender will insist on an appraisal; the investor's job is to identify how an appraiser does the appraisal, and to try to emulate that procedure so as to have an idea of value that is close to what an appraiser would get.So learn to find comps (link below), and then learn to make adjustments due to any dissimilarities between the comps and the subject property.https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/779...

Most rental tenants will not pay you any extra rent for granite tops and high-end cabinetry unless you live in a high-end, high-rent part of town with luxury rentals nearby.

Having same issues across Apple New Spaceship in CU, the owner also reduced the price and decided to rent to 5 single engrs work nearby.

If not for the fact I have family nearby I might have chosen any of the other cities you mentioned.