Head-to-head · 2026

Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) 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.

The Education Desk · Editorial team, schools + fertility + family services · Updated 11 June 2026 · How we rank · Editorial standards

At a glance

The headline differences

  • Sector: Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) is Catholic (Loreto); St Patrick's College Ballarat is Catholic (Edmund Rice).
  • Gender: Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) is girls; St Patrick's College Ballarat is boys.
  • Both schools are in Ballarat, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.

Comparison

Side-by-side

Metric Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) St Patrick's College Ballarat
City / suburbBallarat Central, BallaratBallarat East, Ballarat
SectorCatholic (Loreto)Catholic (Edmund Rice)
Gendergirlsboys
Year levelsYear 7-Year 12Year 7-Year 12
ICSEA10851083
Year 12 fee$14,580$14,820
Year 7 fee$12,680$12,820
BoardingYes · $31,200/yrYes · $33,400/yr
Founded18751893
ReligionRoman Catholic (Loreto Sisters)Roman Catholic (Edmund Rice)

All fees verified 11 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).

Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount)

Standout strengths

  • Loreto Sisters Mary Ward tradition
  • Australia's second-oldest Loreto school
  • Boarding draws from regional VIC

Catholic Loreto Sisters girls' school in Sturt St, Ballarat. Founded 1875.

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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.

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Common questions

FAQs

Which is better, Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) or St Patrick's College Ballarat?

"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount). By 2026 Year 12 fee, Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) 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 Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) and St Patrick's College Ballarat?

Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount)'s 2026 Year 12 tuition is $14,580 (Year 7: $12,680). 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 Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) vs St Patrick's College Ballarat?

Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) has an ICSEA score of 1085; 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, Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) or St Patrick's College Ballarat?

Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) is the older school (founded 1875 vs 1893 for St Patrick's College Ballarat).

Do Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount) or St Patrick's College Ballarat offer boarding?

Loreto College Ballarat (Mary's Mount): Yes, 2026 boarding fee from $31,200/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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