Head-to-head · 2026
Covenant College vs The Geelong College
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Geelong. Sourced from each school's published schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 6 June 2026.
Looking for just one school's fees and full profile?
At a glance
The headline differences
- Sector: Covenant College is Christian; The Geelong College is Uniting Church (formerly Presbyterian).
- Gender: Covenant College is co-ed; The Geelong College is co-educational.
- The Geelong College offers boarding; Covenant College is day-only.
- Year 12 fees differ by $30,630: Covenant College is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 60: The Geelong College draws from a more advantaged community.
- The Geelong College is the older school (est. 1861 vs 1979).
- Both schools are in Geelong, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Covenant College | The Geelong College |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Bell Post Hill, Geelong | Newtown, Geelong |
| Sector | Christian | Uniting Church (formerly Presbyterian) |
| Gender | co-ed | co-educational |
| Year levels | Foundation-12 (plus 3yo Kindergarten) | ELC to Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1070 | 1130 |
| Year 12 fee | $7,910 | $38,540 |
| Year 7 fee | $7,430 | $30,172 |
| Boarding | Day school | Yes · $31,080/yr |
| Founded | 1979 | 1861 |
| Religion | Christian (non-denominational, parent-controlled) | Uniting Church in Australia (associated, not governed) |
All fees verified 6 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Covenant College
Standout strengths
- ›On-site Trade Skills Centre delivering hands-on VET and vocational pathways alongside VCE
- ›Dedicated Netball Academy plus a strong music and performing arts program
- ›Missions Program and 'Covenant Warriors' co-curricular program reflecting its Christian, parent-controlled ethos
Covenant College is an independent, co-educational, non-denominational Christian school in Bell Post Hill, Geelong, founded in 1979 as Geelong Christian School. It is parent-controlled and serves around 735 students from three-year-old Kindergarten through to VCE (Foundation-Year 12). Distinctive offerings include an on-campus Trade Skills Centre, a Netball Academy and a Missions Program. Published tuition is roughly $7,430 in Year 7 and $7,910 in Year 12. ICSEA 1070.
See full profile →The Geelong College
Standout strengths
- ›Heritage co-ed boarding option founded 1861
- ›Strong rowing tradition (Head of the River)
- ›Year 12 fees billed over three terms only
Uniting Church (formerly Presbyterian) co-educational school in Newtown, Geelong. Heritage co-ed boarding option founded 1861
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Covenant College or The Geelong College?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, The Geelong College. By 2026 Year 12 fee, Covenant College is more affordable. Both are in Geelong. 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 Covenant College and The Geelong College?
Covenant College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $7,910 (Year 7: $7,430). The Geelong College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $38,540 (Year 7: $30,172). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Covenant College vs The Geelong College?
Covenant College has an ICSEA score of 1070; The Geelong College has 1130. 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, Covenant College or The Geelong College?
The Geelong College is the older school (founded 1861 vs 1979 for Covenant College).
Do Covenant College or The Geelong College offer boarding?
Covenant College: Day school only. The Geelong College: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $31,080/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 →