RISING living costs continue to weigh heavily on Ireland’s students, with accommodation, utilities and everyday expenses pushing the price of college higher again.
Sligo remains the second-cheapest place to study in the rankings, with average costs reaching €1,301 per month, or €14,205 over the academic year.
That is €366 more than last year in 2025 and €990 more than in 2023. Students in Sligo could spend €1,953 less than the national average and €5,785 less than those studying in Dublin – according to a new study conducted by switcher.ie.
Accommodation remains one of the biggest costs facing students, with average annual rent in the country up €183 on last year and €547 since 2023. Students in private accommodation also pay around €976 more per year than those living on campus.
Rent averages €485 per month in Sligo, the second-lowest figure in the study, despite annual accommodation costs rising by around €227.
Letterkenny, Sligo, Dundalk, Waterford, Athlone and Tralee were Ireland’s six cheapest student towns in 2026.
Sligo sits just behind Letterkenny in the affordability table, helped by some of the lowest accommodation and grocery costs in the country.
Students in Sligo also benefit from some of the country’s lowest socialising costs, with drinks, eating out, cinema trips and other entertainment averaging €330 per month, says the new study.
But even the cheapest towns have not been spared. As well as Tralee, private student accommodation drove up costs in Dundalk and Sligo, while rising utility and socialising expenses continued to erode student budgets across the country.
In contrast, Dublin, Cork, Maynooth, Carlow, Limerick and Galway remain the six most expensive places to study.
Dublin sits firmly at the top, costing students an average of €1,943 per month, with rent alone reaching €989 per month.
Having fun also costs more in the capital. Dublin students could spend around €79 more per month than those in Sligo, where average monthly socialising costs are €330.
Rent remains a major drain on student budgets in Cork and Maynooth, while Carlow’s comparatively high private accommodation costs keep it among the least affordable towns. Limerick and Galway complete the bottom half of the table as rising rent, utility and socialising expenses place further strain on day-to-day budgets.
Eoin Clarke, Commercial Director at Switcher.ie commented on these figures his team produced, “Our research shows that rent and everyday expenses have added almost €500 to the average cost of college since last year.
Even in towns traditionally viewed as affordable, higher bills are making it harder for students and families to stretch their budgets.
“Accommodation continues to take one of the biggest bites out of student budgets. Some of the highest rent increases were recorded in Tralee, Cork, Dundalk and Sligo, where rising private student accommodation prices pushed up the average student accommodation cost in each town.”
He added, “the location of study now has an even bigger impact on student pockets, with a gap of almost €6,000 over the academic year between Dublin and Letterkenny.
Lower accommodation costs give students in Sligo and Letterkenny a valuable head start, while those studying in Dublin face much greater pressure before books, course materials or unexpected expenses are considered.”
He continued, “before considering education loans, students and parents should explore financial supports like SUSI grants, scholarships and the Student Assistance Fund first. And remember to claim any tax relief due for tuition fees and rent.
Planning a realistic budget before term begins can also help identify any shortfall early and reduce the need for expensive last-minute borrowing,” he believes.
