Yes, the European model of master's + shorter PhD is different from the US model of a longer PhD. There might be exceptions in less sciency disciplines (e.g. so

Yes, the European model of master's + shorter PhD is different from the US model of a longer PhD. There might be exceptions in less sciency disciplines (e.g. social work or public policy). And yeah, PhD programs in the US are typically funded (no tuition, stipend usually enough to cover cost of living) while Master's programs usually are considered cash cows for universities. Of course there are indeed people who get a Master's and then a PhD (sometimes because they're not sure they want to do a PhD, sometimes because getting a Master's might help someone get into a better PhD program than they would have otherwise).