Head-to-head · 2026
Radford College vs St Edmund's College Canberra
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Canberra. Sourced from each school's published 2026 schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 13 May 2026.
At a glance
The headline differences
- Sector: Radford College is Anglican; St Edmund's College Canberra is Catholic.
- Gender: Radford College is co-educational; St Edmund's College Canberra is boys.
- Year 12 fees differ by $15,250: St Edmund's College Canberra is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 117: Radford College draws from a more advantaged community.
- Both schools are in Canberra, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Radford College | St Edmund's College Canberra |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Bruce, Canberra | Griffith, Canberra |
| Sector | Anglican | Catholic |
| Gender | co-educational | boys |
| Year levels | Pre-K-Year 12 | Year 4-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1184 | 1067 |
| Year 12 fee 2026 | $25,950 | $10,700 |
| Year 7 fee 2026 | $25,050 | $7,500 |
| Boarding | Day school | Day school |
| Founded | 1984 | 1954 |
| Religion | Anglican Church of Australia | Roman Catholic (Christian Brothers tradition) |
All fees verified 13 May 2026 against each school's published 2026 schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Radford College
Standout strengths
- ›IB Diploma alongside ACT BSSS pathway
- ›Round Square member school
- ›Largest enrolment in ACT independent sector (2,100+)
Anglican co-educational school in Bruce, Canberra. IB Diploma alongside ACT BSSS pathway
See full profile →St Edmund's College Canberra
Standout strengths
- ›Edmund Rice Education Australia network
- ›First Catholic boys' secondary college in ACT
- ›War memorial heritage from 1954 founding
Catholic boys school in Griffith, Canberra. Edmund Rice Education Australia network
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Radford College or St Edmund's College Canberra?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Radford College. By 2026 Year 12 fee, St Edmund's College Canberra is more affordable. Both are in Canberra. 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 Radford College and St Edmund's College Canberra?
Radford College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $25,950 (Year 7: $25,050). St Edmund's College Canberra's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $10,700 (Year 7: $7,500). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Radford College vs St Edmund's College Canberra?
Radford College has an ICSEA score of 1184; St Edmund's College Canberra has 1067. 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, Radford College or St Edmund's College Canberra?
St Edmund's College Canberra is the older school (founded 1954 vs 1984 for Radford College).
Do Radford College or St Edmund's College Canberra offer boarding?
Radford College: Day school only. St Edmund's College Canberra: 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.
Open calculator →