Head-to-head · 2026
Ballarat Clarendon College vs St Patrick's College Ballarat
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Ballarat. Sourced from each school's published schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 11 June 2026.
Looking for just one school's fees and full profile?
At a glance
The headline differences
- Sector: Ballarat Clarendon College is Uniting Church; St Patrick's College Ballarat is Catholic (Edmund Rice).
- Gender: Ballarat Clarendon College is co-educational; St Patrick's College Ballarat is boys.
- Year 12 fees differ by $6,860: St Patrick's College Ballarat is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 49: Ballarat Clarendon College draws from a more advantaged community.
- Both schools are in Ballarat, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Ballarat Clarendon College | St Patrick's College Ballarat |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Ballarat Central, Ballarat | Ballarat East, Ballarat |
| Sector | Uniting Church | Catholic (Edmund Rice) |
| Gender | co-educational | boys |
| Year levels | ELC-Year 12 | Year 7-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1132 | 1083 |
| Year 12 fee | $21,680 | $14,820 |
| Year 7 fee | $18,420 | $12,820 |
| Boarding | Yes · $32,200/yr | Yes · $33,400/yr |
| Founded | 1864 | 1893 |
| Religion | Uniting Church in Australia | Roman Catholic (Edmund Rice) |
All fees verified 11 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Ballarat Clarendon College
Standout strengths
- ›VCE state-leading academic outcomes for years
- ›Regional VIC Uniting Church school
- ›Strong sport + music programs
Uniting Church co-educational school in Sturt St, Ballarat. Founded 1864. Strong VCE academic outcomes.
See full profile →St Patrick's College Ballarat
Standout strengths
- ›Edmund Rice tradition
- ›Regional VIC Catholic boys boarding
- ›Strong rugby + agriculture programs
Catholic Edmund Rice boys' school in Ballarat East. Founded 1893. Day + boarding.
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Ballarat Clarendon College or St Patrick's College Ballarat?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Ballarat Clarendon College. By 2026 Year 12 fee, St Patrick's College Ballarat is more affordable. Both are in Ballarat. 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 Ballarat Clarendon College and St Patrick's College Ballarat?
Ballarat Clarendon College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $21,680 (Year 7: $18,420). St Patrick's College Ballarat's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $14,820 (Year 7: $12,820). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Ballarat Clarendon College vs St Patrick's College Ballarat?
Ballarat Clarendon College has an ICSEA score of 1132; St Patrick's College Ballarat has 1083. 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, Ballarat Clarendon College or St Patrick's College Ballarat?
Ballarat Clarendon College is the older school (founded 1864 vs 1893 for St Patrick's College Ballarat).
Do Ballarat Clarendon College or St Patrick's College Ballarat offer boarding?
Ballarat Clarendon College: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $32,200/yr. St Patrick's College Ballarat: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $33,400/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.
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