Housing costs impact university students in Spain and Argentina

Rising housing costs and living expenses are creating significant barriers for university students in different regions. In Huelva, Spain, the cost of studying extends far beyond tuition. As of September 2026, average rental prices in the capital rose by 13% compared to the previous year, reaching 10.7 euros per square meter. Students face a choice between living with parents, sharing apartments—where rooms can cost around 300 euros monthly—or commuting from surrounding municipalities, which adds transportation and fuel costs.

Similarly, at the National University of Villa María (UNVM) in Argentina, Vice-Rector Elizabeth Theiler has identified housing as a global crisis and a primary obstacle to higher education. The difficulty in securing affordable accommodation has led some students to temporarily pause their studies due to an inability to sustain rent. Others have opted to commute daily from areas within 100 kilometers to avoid the costs of living in the city, often utilizing free transit options to maintain their academic progress.