You have already pointed out that the difference is your peers being scholars and you are not.

Think of it from the HR perspective. I have already invested in my scholars. They are a sunk cost. Of course I need to keep them happy by promoting them first because otherwise they will leave and I will lugi. Think about it this way. Between you and the scholars, who is likely to leave first? Which one will cost the HR more if they leave? You? Or the scholars? Or who is cheaper to replace?

If you want to feel better, compare apples with apples, oranges with oranges. Look at your peers in the CS with the same scheme, same grade, same job scope who are non-scholars. Are they better than you? Or are you actually better? Or more or less about the same?

Sometimes you just need a change in perspective.