I do not understand how this misconception is so pervasive especially on hacker news. Every time phds are discussed someone says this. If you don’t know anything at all about a topic why say something?
Just as in real life, some people just enjoy hearing themselves speak (write).
Nobody pays tuition in a PhD program. Your work is funded by grants and fellowships and you get paid a stipend.
I understand your intent, but "Nobody" is as just as much of a myth.
I self funded my PhD. I prefered it that way.
You don't typically pay for a PhD. You're accepted into a program and the schools pays for you, sometimes even with a stipend to help with living costs
And on the Nordic countries you are employed and given a living wage while doing a PhD.
This is the case not only in the Nordic countries, but also across Europe like Germany, Netherlands, Italy, UK and probably others.
The UK has a highly competitive system for a limited pool of public funds, many students are self-funded in PhD programs. The UK has some great programs but unlike the US and continental Europe it is highly skewed towards the upper classes as the only requirements for entry are basic competence and money for the fees.
It depends on the subject. Amongst mathematics PhD students, at least, it seems that almost no one is self funded. But you're doing history or literature or something, that's another matter.