Head-to-head · 2026
St Joseph's College Hunters Hill vs Xavier College
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Sydney vs Melbourne. Sourced from each school's published schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 17 May 2026.
At a glance
The headline differences
- Sector: St Joseph's College Hunters Hill is Catholic (Marist); Xavier College is Catholic (Jesuit).
- ICSEA gap of 61: Xavier College draws from a more advantaged community.
- St Joseph's College Hunters Hill is in Sydney, Xavier College is in Melbourne – boarding may be relevant if you prefer one but live closer to the other.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | St Joseph's College Hunters Hill | Xavier College |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Hunters Hill, Sydney | Kew, Melbourne |
| Sector | Catholic (Marist) | Catholic (Jesuit) |
| Gender | boys | boys |
| Year levels | Year 5-Year 12 | ELC-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1095 | 1156 |
| Year 12 fee | $31,920 | $31,760 |
| Year 7 fee | $30,260 | $29,280 |
| Boarding | Yes · $26,500/yr | Yes · $27,000/yr |
| Founded | 1881 | 1878 |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (Marist Brothers) | Roman Catholic (Society of Jesus) |
All fees verified 17 May 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
St Joseph's College Hunters Hill
Standout strengths
- ›Largest boys' boarding school in Australia (~600 boarders)
- ›AAGPS rugby + rowing
- ›Marist Brothers tradition + Champagnat formation
Marist Brothers Catholic boys' boarding school in Hunters Hill, Sydney. Founded 1881. Australia's largest boys' boarding school. AAGPS member.
See full profile →Xavier College
Standout strengths
- ›Jesuit Ignatian tradition + Magis program
- ›APS rugby + rowing + footy
- ›Year 9 Kostka Hall outdoor centre
Catholic Jesuit boys' school in Kew, Melbourne. Founded 1878. APS member, boarding option.
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, St Joseph's College Hunters Hill or Xavier College?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Xavier College. By 2026 Year 12 fee, Xavier College is more affordable. They sit in different cities (Sydney vs 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 St Joseph's College Hunters Hill and Xavier College?
St Joseph's College Hunters Hill's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $31,920 (Year 7: $30,260). Xavier College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $31,760 (Year 7: $29,280). 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 College Hunters Hill vs Xavier College?
St Joseph's College Hunters Hill has an ICSEA score of 1095; Xavier College has 1156. 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 College Hunters Hill or Xavier College?
Xavier College is the older school (founded 1878 vs 1881 for St Joseph's College Hunters Hill).
Do St Joseph's College Hunters Hill or Xavier College offer boarding?
St Joseph's College Hunters Hill: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $26,500/yr. Xavier College: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $27,000/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 →