I've just finished a phd in the humanities at oxford (full-funded, took four years to the day), and overall enjoyed the experience (I also used the flexibility

I've just finished a phd in the humanities at oxford (full-funded, took four years to the day), and overall enjoyed the experience (I also used the flexibility of my schedule to get involved in start-ups and recently sold my first one in a modest trade sale). What astounds me about the US system is the amount of time it takes to do a phd - the article said 9 years is not uncommon. Regardless of whether there is or is not demand for humanities phds outside or inside academia, I think 9 years is too long - I mean your going to be a student in your 30s.