REVEALED: Ireland's cheapest student towns in 2023

With 1 in 3 students in Ireland in financial difficulty, Switcher.ie's research reveals the cheapest places for students to study in the country and the monthly costs of University in each town in 2023. 

Soaring inflation has meant student budgets have been hit hard -  with rents, utilities, food and entertainment costs skyrocketing. 

The research found that students eligible for free tuition fees can expect to fork out €15,096 on average going to college in 2023, while international students may spend around €25,766 per year.

Dublin unsurprisingly tops the table as the most expensive place to study in Ireland for Irish, EU and International students. In fact, Dublin students spend €642 more per month on rent and living costs - with groceries, eating out, drinking and gym memberships all costing more in the City.

Letterkenny was the cheapest county for students, costing an average of €12,791 per year: €5,779 less than Dublin, which was the most expensive town.

Top five cheapest student towns

The cheapest student rents can be found in Letterkenny, Sligo, Waterford and Athlone, whilst Dublin, Maynooth and Cork top the table. 

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

A night on the town could set the average student back €322 per month. The spend on a typical student month of drinks, eating out, takeaways, cinema and nightclubbing, is lowest in Tralee, Sligo and Dundalk.

1. Letterkenny

Total + fees per year: €12,791
Average per month: €1,088
Accommodation: €373 per month. 
Groceries: €154 per month.
Entertainment: €308 per month.
Transport: €135 per month.

2. Sligo

Total + fees per year: €13,219
Average per month: €1,135
Accommodation: €424 per month. 
Groceries: €144 per month.
Entertainment: €307 per month.
Transport: €135 per month.

3. Waterford

Total + fees per year: €14,573
Average per month: €1,286
Accommodation: €481 per month. 
Groceries: €221 per month.
Entertainment: €329 per month.
Transport: €138 per month.

4. Dundalk

Total + fees per year: €14,598
Average per month: €1,289
Accommodation: €552 per month. 
Groceries: €164 per month.
Entertainment: €307 per month.
Transport: €132 per month.

5. Athlone

Total + fees per year: €14,705
Average per month: €1,301
Accommodation: €527 per month. 
Groceries: €180 per month.
Entertainment: €330 per month.
Transport: €135 per month.