And again for shits and giggles, you can run the numbers on this.

Initial loan: $150k

Loan term: 10 years

Current undergrad interest rate: 4.99% (graduate unsubsidized, 6.54%, graduate PLUS, 7.54%)

Pre-existing payment term: 10 years, 120 payments

Income: 150k; 10% of income $15k, payment per month, $1250

Undergraduate student loan payment, non-income based: $1590.25

Interest paid: $41k

income based theft from all good libertarian capitalists who love their mothers and hate free rides: $340/mo x 120 payments = $41k

Even in this magical fucking scenario where our state pharmacist is robbing the country blind, the end price is... the government doesn't make a vig. After ten years our state worker has - wait for it - paid off his principle. Meanwhile he's been paying taxes on $150k a year, which is currently the 24% tax bracket. Let's say before he got his magical pharmacy degree he was... a starbucks barista, pulling down $37k and landing in the 12% bracket.

Starbucks taxes: $995 + 12% of ($37k-$9950 = $27050) x 12% = $4241/yr x 10 yrs = $42k

Magic state pharmacist taxes: 24% of $150k = $36k/yr x 10 yrs = $360k

So. The government gave up $41k in student loan interest and gained $320k in income taxes.

it's almost like investing in education is worth the money.