Cork among most expensive places in country to go to college, study finds

Letterkenny, Sligo, and Dundalk are the cheapest towns to go to college

University College Cork. The most significant hikes in student rent in the last year were found in Letterkenny, Carlow, Waterford, Sligo, and Cork as the continued lack of adequate supply drives prices up. Picture: Dan Linehan

Cork is one of the most expensive places in the country to go to college, with the average costs for students living away from home this year rising to €16,179, a new study has found.

Comparison website Switcher.ie said that students will be paying €556 more on average this year than last on going to college, while costs have risen by more than €1,000 since 2023.

It said the scarcity of rental accommodation is a key factor along with other cost-of-living increases such as grocery prices driving the surge.

“While inflation may have eased, students are still feeling the pinch,” Switcher.ie’s commercial director Eoin Clarke said.

“Private student accommodation costs have surged in the past year, and for many, the cost of college life is now at its highest point yet. Even towns that have traditionally been viewed as affordable are seeing sharp year-on-year increases, making it harder for students to stretch their budgets.” 

Switcher.ie said its analysis of the cost is based on third-level academic fees, student accommodation costs, data on entertainment costs such as the price of a pint and night-club entry, taxis and bus tickets, gym membership, and grocery costs. 

Nationwide costs

While Dublin, Cork and Maynooth are the most expensive places to go to college, with the average cost for the year in Dublin now over €20,000, Letterkenny, Sligo, and Dundalk are the three cheapest towns to go to college.

Through various expenses including rent, groceries, utilities, transport, and entertainment, the monthly cost comes to €1,256 in Letterkenny. This compares to €1,897 on average in Dublin according to the research.

It said the most significant hikes in student rent in the last year were found in Letterkenny, Carlow, Waterford, Sligo, and Cork as the continued lack of adequate supply drives prices up.

The figures came as the UCD Students’ Union warned of an acute shortage of student beds just as the first round of CAO offers are due to be issued next week.

Its officers made a direct plea around Dublin city centre to homeowners with spare rooms to rent them out to students for the next academic year under reasonable terms and conditions. 

They pointed out that through the Rent-a-Room Relief Scheme, homeowners can earn up to €14,000 a year tax-free renting their home out to students.

“While Digs-style accommodation may not be everyone’s first choice, homeowners stepping up to the plate can be the difference maker for someone’s future,” UCDSU president Michael Roche said.

“We can only hope that this type of action won’t be necessary in Augusts to come.”