The average cost of going to college in Ireland has risen by €536 this year, according to a new study.
It will cost students more than €15,500 to go to college this year, according to the latest student cost of living guide from Switcher.ie.
In 2024, students eligible for free tuition fees are expected to spend an average of €15,632 on college, which is €536 more per year than in 2023.
Meanwhile, international students may face an average annual cost of €26,690, an increase of €924 on last year.
Locations cost
Dublin is the most expensive place to attend third-level education, costing €19,527 this year – up €957 from last year – followed by Maynooth (€16,942) and Cork (€16,826).
Letterkenny in Donegal is the cheapest college location (€13,147), followed by Sligo (€13,722) and Waterford (€14,724).
Here is the list in full:
- Dublin: €19,527
- Maynooth: €16,942
- Cork: €16,826
- Limerick: €15,762
- Carlow: €15,653
- Tralee: €15,602
- Galway: €15,552
- Athlone: €15,163
- Dundalk: €14,961
- Waterford: €14,724
- Sligo: €13,722
- Letterkenny: €13,147
Nights out
The guide notes that the average student can expect to spend €165 more this year on nights out, as taxi fares, cinema tickets, and beer costs continue to rise.
Accommodation costs have also risen, with rent increasing by 3%, or around €174 per year, across all on-campus and private student halls.
The steepest hikes were seen in private accommodations in Dublin, Carlow, Limerick, and Kerry, where some complexes are charging an extra €500 per year.
Utilities
As for utilities, broadband and electricity costs - often included in student rent - have gone up by 4%, resulting in an additional €30 per year.
Groceries have also become more expensive since 2023, with the monthly cost rising by €10 to €196 per month, amounting to an extra €90 per year in each student town.
The cost of living is the most pressing concern of 62% of people in Ireland aged between 18 and 19, according to a recent survey by the Youth Council of Ireland, with one in five skipping meals to save money.
Main image: The inner courtyard on the campus of Trinity College Dublin is seen in February 2008. Picture by: mauritius images GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo
