Carlow jumps to fifth most expensive student Town in Ireland with CAO offers around the corner

Statistics in relation to the cost of going to college in Ireland have been released and County Carlow has jumped up by 3% or by €476 more per year and in total it costs €15,653 per year to college in Carlow in 2024.

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Soaring living costs have put increased pressure on hard-pressed students, who are now spending even more on accommodation and day-to-day living. One in five young people is reported to be skipping meals in 2024 to save money.*

Switcher.ie’s Student Cost of Living Guide 2024 reveals the cheapest student towns in Ireland, up-to-date expenses in each place, and how much student costs have jumped in the past year.

The study aims to help students, parents, teachers, and third-level organisations prepare for the year ahead and determine what they might need to budget, save, or borrow.

In 2024, students eligible for free tuition fees can expect to spend an average of €15,632 on college — €536 more per year than in 2023. International students could fork out an average of €26,690 per annum, €924 more than last year.

In 2024, it costs €15,653 per year to go to college in Carlow, 3% or €476 more per year than 2023.

Carlow remained the fifth most expensive cheapest student county this year, costing €2,506 more per year than Letterkenny, the cheapest town.

Rising living costs 2024

Since last year’s study, it was found that student costs have jumped by an average of 3%, with students facing higher accommodation costs and college fees and forking out more for nights out, transport, and groceries in 2024.

Increase overall, per year, include:

Entertainment: +5% (+€165)
Accommodation: +3% (+€174)
Groceries: +5% (+€90 )
College fees: 3% (+€400 )
Utilities: 4% (€30)

Six cheapest student towns

This year, the cheapest student rents are still available in Sligo, Waterford, Dundalk, and Athlone, while Dublin, Maynooth, and Cork top the table.

The most significant hikes in student rent were seen in Carlow, Tralee, Limerick, and Athlone, which jumped by around 4%, mainly due to the increasing prices of private student accommodation.

Best-value groceries were found in Sligo, Athlone, Letterkenny, Dundalk, and Tralee, but poor students in Cork, Maynooth, Dublin, and Waterford could be paying as much as 50% more for their weekly shop.

A night on the town could set the average student back €165 or 5% more than last year. The spend on a typical student month of drinks, eating out, takeaways, cinema, and nightclubbing is lowest in Letterkenny, Dundalk, Carlow, Sligo, and Dundalk.

1. Dublin

Total + fees per year: €19,527
Average per month: €1,836
Monthly cost increase: +5% (+€106)
Accommodation: €958 per month.
Groceries: €219 per month.
Entertainment: €386 per month.
Transport: €140 per month.

2. Maynooth

Total + fees per year: €16,942
Average per month: €1,549
Monthly cost increase: 4% (+€74)
Accommodation: €692 per month.
Groceries: €226 per month.
Entertainment: €356 per month.
Transport: €140 per month.

3. Cork

Total + fees per year: €16,826
Average per month: €1,536
Monthly cost increase: +5% (+€95)
Accommodation: €671 per month.
Groceries: €233 per month.
Entertainment: €344 per month.
Transport: €140 per month.

4. Limerick

Total + fees per year: €15,762
Average per month: €1,418
Monthly cost increase: 3% (+€56)
Monthly cost increase: 3% (+€52)
Accommodation: €606 per month.
Groceries: €187 per month.
Entertainment: €344 per month.
Transport: €139 per month.

5. Carlow

Total + fees per year: €15,653
Average per month: €1,406
Monthly cost increase: 3% (+€53)
Accommodation: €612 per month.
Groceries: €189 per month.
Entertainment: €330 per month.
Transport: €137 per month.

6. Tralee

Total + fees per year: €15,602
Average per month: €1,400
Monthly cost increase: 3% (+€75)
Accommodation: €586 per month.
Groceries: €183 per month.
Entertainment: €354 per month.
Transport: €137 per month.