Head-to-head · 2026
Saint Ignatius' College vs Wilderness School
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Adelaide. 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: Saint Ignatius' College is Catholic; Wilderness School is Independent (Non-denominational Christian).
- Gender: Saint Ignatius' College is co-ed; Wilderness School is girls.
- Wilderness School offers boarding; Saint Ignatius' College is day-only.
- Year 12 fees differ by $10,147: Saint Ignatius' College is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 22: Wilderness School draws from a more advantaged community.
- Wilderness School is the older school (est. 1884 vs 1951).
- Both schools are in Adelaide, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Saint Ignatius' College | Wilderness School |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Athelstone, Adelaide | Medindie, Adelaide |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent (Non-denominational Christian) |
| Gender | co-ed | girls |
| Year levels | Reception to Year 12 (Senior School Years 7-12 at Athelstone; Junior School at Norwood) | Reception-Year 12 (with Year 13) |
| ICSEA | 1156 | 1178 |
| Year 12 fee | $18,368 | $28,515 |
| Year 7 fee | $16,267 | on request |
| Boarding | Day school | Yes |
| Founded | 1951 | 1884 |
| Religion | Catholic (Jesuit) | Non-denominational Christian |
All fees verified 6 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Saint Ignatius' College
Standout strengths
- ›The world's first Jesuit school to go fully co-educational (Reception to Year 12), making the change in 1996; founded by the Jesuits on their 1951 return to Adelaide
- ›Very high socio-educational advantage: ICSEA 1156, among the highest of any school in this group, with roughly 68% of students in the top SEA quarter
- ›16-hectare (40-acre) Senior School campus at Athelstone; part of the global Jesuit schools network tracing to Messina, Sicily (1548)
A co-educational Catholic Jesuit college (R-12) with its Senior School at Athelstone and Junior School at Norwood, founded 1951.
See full profile →Wilderness School
Standout strengths
- ›Year 13 gap-year style program
- ›Up to 80 boarders
- ›Round Square global member school
Independent (Non-denominational Christian) girls school in Medindie, Adelaide. Year 13 gap-year style program
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Saint Ignatius' College or Wilderness School?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Wilderness School. By 2026 Year 12 fee, Saint Ignatius' College is more affordable. Both are in Adelaide. 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 Saint Ignatius' College and Wilderness School?
Saint Ignatius' College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $18,368 (Year 7: $16,267). Wilderness School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $28,515. Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Saint Ignatius' College vs Wilderness School?
Saint Ignatius' College has an ICSEA score of 1156; Wilderness School has 1178. 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, Saint Ignatius' College or Wilderness School?
Wilderness School is the older school (founded 1884 vs 1951 for Saint Ignatius' College).
Do Saint Ignatius' College or Wilderness School offer boarding?
Saint Ignatius' College: Day school only. Wilderness School: Yes.
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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