Cost of going to college in Kildare hits €17,188 as students need €581 more this year
Maynooth remains Ireland’s third-most expensive student town, with college costs rising by almost €600 since last year
In 2026, students in Maynooth could spend €17,188 over the academic year, 3% or €581 more than in 2025, and €911 or 6% more than in 2023.
Maynooth, Co. Kildare remains Ireland’s third-most expensive student town, costing €1,030 more than the national average, but €2,802 less than Dublin over the academic year Switcher.ie’s latest Student Cost of Living study.
To show how costs have changed over a typical four-year degree, the study also compares 2026 expenses with 2023, when many students now entering their final year began college.
While the overall increase was softer than last year, students are still paying more across most major expenses. Average increases include:
Utilities: +9% (+€70 per year)
Entertainment: +4% (+€139 per academic year)
Groceries: +4% (+€82 per academic year)
Accommodation: +3% (+€183 per year)
Non-EU university fees: +3% (+€525 per year)
Accommodation remains one of the biggest costs facing students, with average annual rent 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.
The heftiest accommodation increase was recorded in Tralee, followed by Cork, Dundalk and Sligo, largely due to higher prices at private student accommodation providers.
Rent averages €720 per month in Maynooth, the third-highest figure in the study, while grocery costs reach €254 per month, second only to Cork.
Utilities added to the squeeze, rising across both private and on-campus housing, while food and socialising costs continued to creep up. Transport and gym membership were among the few expenses to remain broadly unchanged.