Head-to-head · 2026
St Mary Star of the Sea College vs The Illawarra Grammar School
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 Mary Star of the Sea College is Catholic; The Illawarra Grammar School is Anglican.
- Gender: St Mary Star of the Sea College is girls; The Illawarra Grammar School is co-educational.
- Year 12 fees differ by $17,087: St Mary Star of the Sea College is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 58: The Illawarra Grammar School draws from a more advantaged community.
- St Mary Star of the Sea College is the older school (est. 1873 vs 1959).
- Both schools are in Wollongong, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | St Mary Star of the Sea College | The Illawarra Grammar School |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Wollongong, Wollongong | Mangerton, Wollongong |
| Sector | Catholic | Anglican |
| Gender | girls | co-educational |
| Year levels | Year 7 to Year 12 | ELC to Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1093 | 1151 |
| Year 12 fee | $10,803 | $27,890 |
| Year 7 fee | $8,532 | $24,850 |
| Boarding | Day school | Day school |
| Founded | 1873 | 1959 |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (Sisters of the Good Samaritan tradition) | Anglican Church of Australia |
All fees verified 6 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
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 →The Illawarra Grammar School
Standout strengths
- ›Wollongong's flagship independent Anglican K-12 school
- ›Strong academic results; private bus network across Illawarra
- ›$300 prompt-payment discount per student
Anglican co-educational school in Mangerton, Wollongong. Wollongong's flagship independent Anglican K-12 school
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, St Mary Star of the Sea College or The Illawarra Grammar School?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, The Illawarra Grammar School. By 2026 Year 12 fee, St Mary Star of the Sea College 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 Mary Star of the Sea College and The Illawarra Grammar School?
St Mary Star of the Sea College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $10,803 (Year 7: $8,532). The Illawarra Grammar School's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $27,890 (Year 7: $24,850). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for St Mary Star of the Sea College vs The Illawarra Grammar School?
St Mary Star of the Sea College has an ICSEA score of 1093; The Illawarra Grammar School has 1151. 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 Mary Star of the Sea College or The Illawarra Grammar School?
St Mary Star of the Sea College is the older school (founded 1873 vs 1959 for The Illawarra Grammar School).
Do St Mary Star of the Sea College or The Illawarra Grammar School offer boarding?
St Mary Star of the Sea College: Day school only. The Illawarra Grammar School: 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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