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Cuban Student Sparks Debate by Revealing True Costs of University Education

Thursday, June 12, 2025 by Alex Smith

Cuban content creator Katherin, known as @aprendedorajeje on Instagram, has stirred up a social media storm by sharing a video in which she calculates the financial burden of her university years in Cuba. Despite the official stance that higher education on the island is free, her personal experience highlights the substantial expenses that Cuban families must bear to access these studies.

In her video, Katherin meticulously breaks down her expenses from the start to the end of her university journey. The costs of transportation and light meals alone amounted to a staggering 108,480 Cuban pesos. "My condolences to those on scholarships, you guys are on another level—don’t do the math, it could cause heart trouble," she quipped with irony.

She explains that during her first year, her weekly expenses were around 640 pesos, but by the final years, due to rising transportation costs and inflation in Cuba, this figure had ballooned to over 1,000 pesos weekly.

With a touch of sarcasm, she concludes that she could recoup her expenses "in 27 months of work... without eating or paying for electricity," adding, “Well, I don’t have electricity anyway.”

Free Education, Yet Out of Reach for Many Young Cubans

Such testimonials uncover a stark reality increasingly common in Cuba. While universities do not charge tuition or demand direct payment, the country's worsening economic conditions make higher education a luxury for many families.

Public transportation is erratic and expensive, food prices keep soaring, and internet fees—crucial for virtual classes and access to academic resources—add another layer of financial strain.

Since Katherin began her studies in 2020, Cuban universities have had to adapt to extensive periods of online learning. However, mobile data packages remain unaffordable for a significant portion of students. Additionally, frequent price hikes by the state-run telecom monopoly, ETECSA, have sparked widespread discontent and academic strikes across various faculties in the country.

Students, especially those on scholarships from provinces, face even greater challenges. The meager stipend they receive, combined with the poor living conditions in university dormitories, means their academic experience is fraught with hardship.

While the Cuban government continues to tout the free education system as a triumph of the Revolution, skepticism and complaints about the lack of freedoms and repression faced by students critical of the regime are growing on social media.

The debate ignited by Katherin's post underscores the urgent need to rethink the material conditions surrounding access to education in Cuba. In a nation plagued by rampant inflation, depressed wages, and collapsing public services, every peso counts… and although attending university doesn’t involve direct fees, the real cost is climbing ever higher.

Cuban University Education Costs: Key Questions Answered

Why is university education considered expensive in Cuba?

Although tuition is free, students face significant costs for transportation, food, and internet access, compounded by the economic crisis and inflation in Cuba.

How has the economic situation affected Cuban students?

The economic downturn has made public services unreliable and expensive, forcing students to spend more on essentials like transport and food, which strains their financial resources.

What challenges do scholarship students face in Cuba?

Scholarship students often grapple with low stipends and poor living conditions in dormitories, making their academic journey particularly challenging.

How have Cuban universities adapted to virtual learning?

Universities have shifted to prolonged periods of online classes since 2020, but the high cost of mobile data packages limits access for many students.

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