Head-to-head · 2026

Ryan Catholic College vs St Patrick's College Townsville

Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Townsville. Sourced from each school's published schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 6 June 2026.

The Education Desk · Editorial team, schools + fertility + family services · Updated 6 June 2026 · How we rank · Editorial standards

At a glance

The headline differences

  • Sector: Ryan Catholic College is Catholic; St Patrick's College Townsville is Catholic (Mercy tradition).
  • Gender: Ryan Catholic College is co-educational; St Patrick's College Townsville is girls.
  • St Patrick's College Townsville offers boarding; Ryan Catholic College is day-only.
  • ICSEA gap of 83: Ryan Catholic College draws from a more advantaged community.
  • St Patrick's College Townsville is the older school (est. 1878 vs 1979).
  • Both schools are in Townsville, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.

Comparison

Side-by-side

Metric Ryan Catholic College St Patrick's College Townsville
City / suburbKirwan, TownsvilleTownsville, Townsville
SectorCatholicCatholic (Mercy tradition)
Genderco-educationalgirls
Year levelsPrep-Year 12Year 7-12
ICSEA1033950
Year 12 feeon request$6,450
Year 7 feeon request$6,150
BoardingDay schoolYes
Founded19791878
ReligionRoman CatholicRoman Catholic (Sisters of Mercy tradition)

All fees verified 6 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).

Ryan Catholic College

Standout strengths

  • Townsville's first co-educational Catholic college (opened January 1979 with 74 students)
  • Two campuses: junior school on smaller campus, middle and senior schools on main Canterbury Road campus
  • 2,011 students with two-campus model serving Prep to Year 12

Catholic co-educational school in Kirwan, Townsville. Townsville's first co-educational Catholic college (opened January 1979 with 74 students).

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St Patrick's College Townsville

Standout strengths

  • Oceanfront Strand campus with state-of-the-art facilities (East Precinct opened 2020 by award-winning M3 Architecture)
  • Catholic day and boarding school in Mercy tradition; boarding with air-conditioned single and multi-dorm facilities
  • Combined Schools' Musical harnesses talent across three Townsville Catholic colleges

Catholic (Mercy tradition) girls school in Townsville, Townsville. Oceanfront Strand campus with state-of-the-art facilities (East Precinct opened 2020 by award-winning M3 Architecture).

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Common questions

FAQs

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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