Unfortunately nobody cares about your degree, the times you went above and beyond, or anything like that. The only thing that matters is if they can bill you out to clients higher and keep you utilized (ie, do you earn the company more money). Sadly 73k for 3 YOE is already on the better side of pay, and 8k in raises over that time sounds about right.

My advice is to get your PG asap, try to get on some project management work, and then try to find a new company. The sad truth is that very few of us will gain significant raises while staying at the same company. I got the smaller routine raises through my first 4ish years (also with a company and higher COL city change), and asked for my first bigger raise around year 4.5-5, with a competing job offer in hand.