Head-to-head · 2026
Scotch 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: Scotch College is Presbyterian; St Catherine's School is Anglican.
- Gender: Scotch College is boys; St Catherine's School is girls.
- Year 12 fees differ by $9,957: St Catherine's School is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 19: St Catherine's School draws from a more advantaged community.
- Scotch College is the older school (est. 1851 vs 1896).
- Both schools are in Melbourne, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Scotch College | St Catherine's School |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Hawthorn, Melbourne | Toorak, Melbourne |
| Sector | Presbyterian | Anglican |
| Gender | boys | girls |
| Year levels | Prep-Year 12 | ELC-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1193 | 1212 |
| Year 12 fee 2026 | $47,877 | $37,920 |
| Year 7 fee 2026 | $46,056 | $34,480 |
| Boarding | Yes | Yes · $31,800/yr |
| Founded | 1851 | 1896 |
| Religion | Presbyterian/Uniting Church heritage | 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).
Scotch College
Standout strengths
- ›Australia's oldest secondary school (est. 1851)
- ›Elite APS sport across cricket, football and rowing
- ›National boarding house of approximately 160 students
Australia's oldest secondary school. Presbyterian boys' school in Hawthorn with elite rowing and APS sport tradition. Boarding house draws students nationally and internationally.
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, Scotch 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 Scotch College and St Catherine's School?
Scotch College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $47,877 (Year 7: $46,056). 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 Scotch College vs St Catherine's School?
Scotch College has an ICSEA score of 1193; 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, Scotch College or St Catherine's School?
Scotch College is the older school (founded 1851 vs 1896 for St Catherine's School).
Do Scotch College or St Catherine's School offer boarding?
Scotch College: Yes. 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 →