Head-to-head · 2026
Bialik College vs Methodist Ladies' College
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Melbourne. Sourced from each school's published 2026 schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 13 May 2026.
At a glance
The headline differences
- Sector: Bialik College is Jewish; Methodist Ladies' College is Uniting Church.
- Gender: Bialik College is co-educational; Methodist Ladies' College is girls.
- Methodist Ladies' College offers boarding; Bialik College is day-only.
- ICSEA gap of 12: Bialik College draws from a more advantaged community.
- Methodist Ladies' College is the older school (est. 1882 vs 1942).
- Both schools are in Melbourne, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Bialik College | Methodist Ladies' College |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Hawthorn East, Melbourne | Kew, Melbourne |
| Sector | Jewish | Uniting Church |
| Gender | co-educational | girls |
| Year levels | ELC-Year 12 | Prep-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1213 | 1201 |
| Year 12 fee 2026 | $35,480 | $38,240 |
| Year 7 fee 2026 | $32,600 | $35,280 |
| Boarding | Day school | Yes · $31,200/yr |
| Founded | 1942 | 1882 |
| Religion | Jewish (Progressive) | Uniting Church in Australia |
All fees verified 13 May 2026 against each school's published 2026 schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Bialik College
Standout strengths
- ›Progressive Jewish + Zionist values
- ›Dual curriculum + Hebrew
- ›Strong VCE academic outcomes
Jewish co-educational school in Hawthorn East, Melbourne. Founded 1942. Progressive Zionist orientation.
See full profile →Methodist Ladies' College
Standout strengths
- ›Largest girls school in Australia (~2,200 students)
- ›IB Diploma alongside VCE
- ›Equestrian centre + extensive co-curricular
Uniting Church girls' school in Kew, Melbourne. Founded 1882. Largest girls' school in Australia.
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Bialik College or Methodist Ladies' College?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Bialik College. By 2026 Year 12 fee, Bialik College is more affordable. Both are in Melbourne. The most meaningful comparison is on culture, programs, transport and entry pathway for your specific child — visit open days and talk to current parents.
What are the 2026 fees for Bialik College and Methodist Ladies' College?
Bialik College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $35,480 (Year 7: $32,600). Methodist Ladies' College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $38,240 (Year 7: $35,280). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Bialik College vs Methodist Ladies' College?
Bialik College has an ICSEA score of 1213; Methodist Ladies' College has 1201. The Australian median is 1000. ICSEA measures the socio-educational advantage of the school community — it correlates with academic outcomes but does NOT measure teaching quality or value-add. ICSEA is published by ACARA on MySchool.
Which school is older, Bialik College or Methodist Ladies' College?
Methodist Ladies' College is the older school (founded 1882 vs 1942 for Bialik College).
Do Bialik College or Methodist Ladies' College offer boarding?
Bialik College: Day school only. Methodist Ladies' College: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $31,200/yr.
Next step
Model the 6-year cost for either school
Project Year 7-12 tuition with 4.5% annual indexation. Add boarding, levies and sibling discounts. Compare side-by-side.
Open calculator →