Head-to-head · 2026
Edmund Rice College Wollongong vs The Illawarra Grammar 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; The Illawarra Grammar School is Anglican.
- Gender: Edmund Rice College Wollongong is boys; The Illawarra Grammar School is co-educational.
- Year 12 fees differ by $16,650: Edmund Rice College Wollongong is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 68: The Illawarra Grammar School draws from a more advantaged community.
- Edmund Rice College Wollongong is the older school (est. 1926 vs 1959).
- Both schools are in Wollongong, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Edmund Rice College Wollongong | The Illawarra Grammar School |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | West Wollongong, Wollongong | Mangerton, Wollongong |
| Sector | Catholic | Anglican |
| Gender | boys | co-educational |
| Year levels | Year 7 to Year 12 | ELC to Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1083 | 1151 |
| Year 12 fee | $11,240 | $27,890 |
| Year 7 fee | $7,770 | $24,850 |
| Boarding | Day school | Day school |
| Founded | 1926 | 1959 |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (Edmund Rice Education Australia) | Anglican Church of Australia |
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 →The Illawarra Grammar School
Standout strengths
- ›Wollongong's flagship independent Anglican K-12 school
- ›Strong academic results; private bus network across Illawarra
- ›$300 prompt-payment discount per student
Anglican co-educational school in Mangerton, Wollongong. Wollongong's flagship independent Anglican K-12 school
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Edmund Rice College Wollongong or The Illawarra Grammar School?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, The Illawarra Grammar School. By 2026 Year 12 fee, Edmund Rice College Wollongong 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 The Illawarra Grammar School?
Edmund Rice College Wollongong's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $11,240 (Year 7: $7,770). The Illawarra Grammar School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $27,890 (Year 7: $24,850). 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 The Illawarra Grammar School?
Edmund Rice College Wollongong has an ICSEA score of 1083; The Illawarra Grammar School has 1151. 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 The Illawarra Grammar School?
Edmund Rice College Wollongong is the older school (founded 1926 vs 1959 for The Illawarra Grammar School).
Do Edmund Rice College Wollongong or The Illawarra Grammar School offer boarding?
Edmund Rice College Wollongong: Day school only. The Illawarra Grammar 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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