Head-to-head · 2026
Edmund Rice College Wollongong vs St Joseph's Catholic High School
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Wollongong. 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: Edmund Rice College Wollongong is Catholic; St Joseph's Catholic High School is Catholic systemic.
- Gender: Edmund Rice College Wollongong is boys; St Joseph's Catholic High School is co-ed.
- Year 12 fees differ by $8,467: St Joseph's Catholic High School is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 65: Edmund Rice College Wollongong draws from a more advantaged community.
- Edmund Rice College Wollongong is the older school (est. 1926 vs 1982).
- Both schools are in Wollongong, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Edmund Rice College Wollongong | St Joseph's Catholic High School |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | West Wollongong, Wollongong | Albion Park, Wollongong |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic systemic |
| Gender | boys | co-ed |
| Year levels | Year 7 to Year 12 | 7-12 |
| ICSEA | 1083 | 1018 |
| Year 12 fee | $11,240 | $2,773 |
| Year 7 fee | $7,770 | $2,066 |
| Boarding | Day school | Day school |
| Founded | 1926 | 1982 |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (Edmund Rice Education Australia) | Catholic |
All fees verified 6 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Edmund Rice College Wollongong
Standout strengths
- ›Christian Brothers tradition; centenary celebrated 2026
- ›Largest Catholic boys' college in the Illawarra
- ›Strong sport, social-justice and Edmund Rice Education Australia network programs
Catholic boys school in West Wollongong, Wollongong. Christian Brothers tradition; centenary celebrated 2026
See full profile →St Joseph's Catholic High School
Standout strengths
- ›Marist heritage (founding principal Br Mat Murphy, 1982)
- ›Diocese of Wollongong systemic secondary school
- ›Tiered fee structure: tuition, family/P&F levy, building levy
St Joseph's Catholic High School is a Catholic systemic co-educational secondary school (Years 7-12) in Albion Park, in the Diocese of Wollongong. Opened in 1982 with 140 students and Marist Brother Mat Murphy as founding principal (officially opened 13 March 1983), it now enrols around 730 students. ICSEA of 1018 (close to the national average) with low-fee Catholic tuition.
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Edmund Rice College Wollongong or St Joseph's Catholic High School?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Edmund Rice College Wollongong. By 2026 Year 12 fee, St Joseph's Catholic High School is more affordable. Both are in Wollongong. 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 Edmund Rice College Wollongong and St Joseph's Catholic High School?
Edmund Rice College Wollongong's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $11,240 (Year 7: $7,770). St Joseph's Catholic High School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $2,773 (Year 7: $2,066). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Edmund Rice College Wollongong vs St Joseph's Catholic High School?
Edmund Rice College Wollongong has an ICSEA score of 1083; St Joseph's Catholic High School has 1018. 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, Edmund Rice College Wollongong or St Joseph's Catholic High School?
Edmund Rice College Wollongong is the older school (founded 1926 vs 1982 for St Joseph's Catholic High School).
Do Edmund Rice College Wollongong or St Joseph's Catholic High School offer boarding?
Edmund Rice College Wollongong: Day school only. St Joseph's Catholic High School: Day school only.
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.
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