Head-to-head · 2026
Methodist Ladies' College vs St Catherine's School
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: Methodist Ladies' College is Uniting Church; St Catherine's School is Anglican.
- ICSEA gap of 11: St Catherine's School draws from a more advantaged community.
- Both schools are in Melbourne, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Methodist Ladies' College | St Catherine's School |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Kew, Melbourne | Toorak, Melbourne |
| Sector | Uniting Church | Anglican |
| Gender | girls | girls |
| Year levels | Prep-Year 12 | ELC-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1201 | 1212 |
| Year 12 fee 2026 | $38,240 | $37,920 |
| Year 7 fee 2026 | $35,280 | $34,480 |
| Boarding | Yes · $31,200/yr | Yes · $31,800/yr |
| Founded | 1882 | 1896 |
| Religion | Uniting Church in Australia | Anglican Church of Australia |
All fees verified 13 May 2026 against each school's published 2026 schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
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 →St Catherine's School
Standout strengths
- ›Strong VCE outcomes
- ›Toorak elite community
- ›Small boarding house with rural + international students
Anglican girls' school in Toorak, Melbourne. Founded 1896. Day + boarding.
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Methodist Ladies' College or St Catherine's School?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, St Catherine's School. By 2026 Year 12 fee, St Catherine's School 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 Methodist Ladies' College and St Catherine's School?
Methodist Ladies' College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $38,240 (Year 7: $35,280). St Catherine's School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $37,920 (Year 7: $34,480). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Methodist Ladies' College vs St Catherine's School?
Methodist Ladies' College has an ICSEA score of 1201; St Catherine's School has 1212. 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, Methodist Ladies' College or St Catherine's School?
Methodist Ladies' College is the older school (founded 1882 vs 1896 for St Catherine's School).
Do Methodist Ladies' College or St Catherine's School offer boarding?
Methodist Ladies' College: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $31,200/yr. St Catherine's School: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $31,800/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 →