I made ~20k as a masters student and the phD students make more. the problem is that about 95% of graduate students are foreign students. 1) We are giving money to foreign parties even if they stay here 2) Educating foreign individuals to enhance their own country. For some reason most American students are "happy" with a bachelor degree. I know most don't need the graduate degree, but its almost unwise not to get it if your in engineering or a science major. I think its more that the other countries have learned how to beat us at our own game. I won't mention anything about unions.
