Head-to-head · 2026
St Joseph's Catholic High School vs St Mary Star of the Sea College
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Wollongong. 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: St Joseph's Catholic High School is Catholic systemic; St Mary Star of the Sea College is Catholic.
- Gender: St Joseph's Catholic High School is co-ed; St Mary Star of the Sea College is girls.
- Year 12 fees differ by $8,030: St Joseph's Catholic High School is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 75: St Mary Star of the Sea College draws from a more advantaged community.
- St Mary Star of the Sea College is the older school (est. 1873 vs 1982).
- Both schools are in Wollongong, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | St Joseph's Catholic High School | St Mary Star of the Sea College |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Albion Park, Wollongong | Wollongong, Wollongong |
| Sector | Catholic systemic | Catholic |
| Gender | co-ed | girls |
| Year levels | 7-12 | Year 7 to Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1018 | 1093 |
| Year 12 fee | $2,773 | $10,803 |
| Year 7 fee | $2,066 | $8,532 |
| Boarding | Day school | Day school |
| Founded | 1982 | 1873 |
| Religion | Catholic | Roman Catholic (Sisters of the Good Samaritan tradition) |
All fees verified 6 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
St Joseph's Catholic High School
Standout strengths
- ›Marist heritage (founding principal Br Mat Murphy, 1982)
- ›Diocese of Wollongong systemic secondary school
- ›Tiered fee structure: tuition, family/P&F levy, building levy
St Joseph's Catholic High School is a Catholic systemic co-educational secondary school (Years 7-12) in Albion Park, in the Diocese of Wollongong. Opened in 1982 with 140 students and Marist Brother Mat Murphy as founding principal (officially opened 13 March 1983), it now enrols around 730 students. ICSEA of 1018 (close to the national average) with low-fee Catholic tuition.
See full profile →St Mary Star of the Sea College
Standout strengths
- ›150+ year heritage; founded 1873 by Sisters of the Good Samaritan
- ›Largest Catholic girls' college in the Illawarra
- ›Strong VET, music and creative arts program
Catholic girls school in Wollongong, Wollongong. 150+ year heritage; founded 1873 by Sisters of the Good Samaritan
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, St Joseph's Catholic High School or St Mary Star of the Sea College?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, St Mary Star of the Sea College. By 2026 Year 12 fee, St Joseph's Catholic High School is more affordable. Both are in Wollongong. 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 St Joseph's Catholic High School and St Mary Star of the Sea College?
St Joseph's Catholic High School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $2,773 (Year 7: $2,066). St Mary Star of the Sea College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $10,803 (Year 7: $8,532). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for St Joseph's Catholic High School vs St Mary Star of the Sea College?
St Joseph's Catholic High School has an ICSEA score of 1018; St Mary Star of the Sea College has 1093. 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, St Joseph's Catholic High School or St Mary Star of the Sea College?
St Mary Star of the Sea College is the older school (founded 1873 vs 1982 for St Joseph's Catholic High School).
Do St Joseph's Catholic High School or St Mary Star of the Sea College offer boarding?
St Joseph's Catholic High School: Day school only. St Mary Star of the Sea College: 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.
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