Head-to-head · 2026
Fairholme College Toowoomba vs St Ursula's College
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Toowoomba. 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: Fairholme College Toowoomba is Presbyterian; St Ursula's College is Catholic (Ursuline).
- ICSEA gap of 95: Fairholme College Toowoomba draws from a more advantaged community.
- Both schools are in Toowoomba, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Fairholme College Toowoomba | St Ursula's College |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Toowoomba, Toowoomba | Newtown, Toowoomba |
| Sector | Presbyterian | Catholic (Ursuline) |
| Gender | girls | girls |
| Year levels | K-Year 12 | Year 5-Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1138 | 1043 |
| Year 12 fee | $20,180 | $17,600 |
| Year 7 fee | $17,820 | $13,200 |
| Boarding | Yes · $30,200/yr | Yes · $24,840/yr |
| Founded | 1917 | 1931 |
| Religion | Presbyterian Church of Queensland | Roman Catholic, Ursuline Sisters tradition |
All fees verified 11 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Fairholme College Toowoomba
Standout strengths
- ›QLD's largest girls' boarding school
- ›Boarding draws from regional QLD + outback
- ›Strong sport + agriculture programs
Presbyterian girls' school in Toowoomba, regional QLD. Founded 1917. Day + boarding.
See full profile →St Ursula's College
Standout strengths
- ›National Award-winning contemporary boarding house
- ›Girls' residential school since 1931
- ›Flexible boarding options (full-time, weekly, casual)
Catholic (Ursuline) girls school in Newtown, Toowoomba. National Award-winning contemporary boarding house.
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Fairholme College Toowoomba or St Ursula's College?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Fairholme College Toowoomba. By 2026 Year 12 fee, St Ursula's College is more affordable. Both are in Toowoomba. 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 Fairholme College Toowoomba and St Ursula's College?
Fairholme College Toowoomba's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $20,180 (Year 7: $17,820). St Ursula's College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $17,600 (Year 7: $13,200). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Fairholme College Toowoomba vs St Ursula's College?
Fairholme College Toowoomba has an ICSEA score of 1138; St Ursula's College has 1043. 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, Fairholme College Toowoomba or St Ursula's College?
Fairholme College Toowoomba is the older school (founded 1917 vs 1931 for St Ursula's College).
Do Fairholme College Toowoomba or St Ursula's College offer boarding?
Fairholme College Toowoomba: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $30,200/yr. St Ursula's College: Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $24,840/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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