Cork is the third most expensive student county.

But this year’s freshers will be spending €856 more per year than 2023, as new figures reveal that it costs €16,826 per year to go to college in Cork in 2024.

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 reportedly skipping meals in 2024 to save money.

According to Switcher.ie’s Student Cost of Living Guide 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.

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

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

Letterkenny remains the cheapest student town in Ireland, costing roughly €1,127 per month.