[voxl]

Thinking in this way has always been very toxic. Some professors think this way and will accidentally state how PhD students are overpaid and underworked... Any sane analysis would note that PhDs are valid added to society, we want PhDs, and pipelines into industry for them. Using your analysis there would never be another PhD student.

[uberman]

Your reaction is understandable but you lack a larger perspective. I have never argued that society does not benefit from PhDs only that when talking about compensation one must include all the factors.

Would you accept a job offer before considering the benefits package? I would certainly not.