Not surprised that the cost is self funded. CX and KA's free program is one of the handful of free ones available. Compared to EU and AU's programs (jet star/ryan air/BA/ Air lingus etc), Free cadet programs are rare.
The cost around the world tends to be similar, the price of PPL+CPL level+ ATPL exams + MEIR + MCC (In EU). Cost is total around 150000 USD. I did my CPL+MECIR at about 125000 AUD (not including cost of living). I did 5/7 of my ATPLs up in Brisbane for about 5500 (from memory) AUD.