Dundalk Ranks as Fourth Cheapest Student Town in Ireland, Says New Report
Dundalk has been named the fourth most affordable student town in Ireland, according to the latest Student Cost of Living Guide from Switcher.ie. As the cost of attending college continues to rise nationwide, Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) offers a more budget-friendly option for students compared to other locations in the country.
The report highlights that the average cost of attending college in Ireland has surged by €536 over the past year due to inflation, bringing the total annual expense to over €15,500. In Dundalk, students can expect to pay around €1,329 per month, or €14,961 per year, making it significantly cheaper than studying in Dublin, where costs are highest.
Dublin remains the most expensive city for third-level students, followed by Maynooth and Cork. On the other end of the spectrum, Letterkenny in Donegal is the most affordable, with Sligo and Waterford also ranking below Dundalk in terms of student living costs.
The research by Switcher.ie suggests that students in Dundalk benefit from lower prices for essential living expenses such as groceries, transportation, and social activities. This means that students’ budgets in Dundalk can stretch further compared to those studying in more expensive cities.
However, despite Dundalk’s relative affordability, the increasing cost of living is still a major concern for students. A recent study by the Youth Council of Ireland revealed that one in five students across the country are skipping meals to save money, with two-thirds of 18 to 29-year-olds citing the cost of living as one of their most pressing issues.
For more details on the methodology and sources used in Switcher.ie’s report, readers can find the full breakdown on Switcher.ie