Emmanuel College vs St Michael's College
Emmanuel College (Carrara) is a independent school and St Michael's College (Merrimac) is a catholic school. Both are co-educational. Emmanuel College teaches P-12 and St Michael's College teaches 7-12. Emmanuel College has 1,686 students and St Michael's College has 820 (ACARA 2025). They are about 3.1 km apart in a straight line.
Photos: Emmanuel College (school website) · St Michael's College (school website)
See both schools’ full fees, ATAR results and cost to Year 12
Every year level’s fees from each school’s own schedule, the results each school publishes, and the total cost to Year 12, side by side.
Compare these schools in full →A$9.99 a year, cancel anytimeSecure payment by Stripe
Key numbers
Students, ICSEA, students per teacher and girls/boys: ACARA My School 2025 (students per teacher is total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff; it isn’t class size).
Fees and results
Side by side
| Fact | Emmanuel College | St Michael's College |
|---|---|---|
| Suburb | Carrara | Merrimac |
| Region | Nerang | Robina |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Students | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Year levels | P-12 | 7-12 |
| Religion | Christian | Catholic |
| Boarding | No | No |
| Senior years | QCE | QCE |
| Facilities and sport (school site) | Library | Gym, Oval, Library, Australian rules football, Netball, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics |
| Distance apart | About 3.1 km in a straight line | |
Facts from ACARA (2025) and each school’s own website.
Which suits whom
- Families choosing by faith: Emmanuel College is Christian; St Michael's College is Catholic.
- Location: Emmanuel College is in Carrara (Nerang); St Michael's College is in Merrimac (Robina).
- Size: Emmanuel College is the larger school, with 866 more students.
- Smaller ratio: St Michael's College has fewer students per teacher (12.2 against 15.3, ACARA 2025).
- Listed by St Michael's College but not Emmanuel College: Gym, Oval, Australian rules football, Netball, Basketball, Swimming and Athletics.
History
Emmanuel College
Emmanuel College opened at Carrara in 1985 with 66 students in Years 8 and 9. Within two years it had 300 students, and its Junior School opened in 1989.
Source: emmanuel.qld.edu.au
St Michael's College
St Michael’s College is a co-educational Catholic college for Years 7 to 12, set high on a hill at Merrimac with views to Surfers Paradise.
Source: stmichaels.qld.edu.au
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between Emmanuel College and St Michael's College?
Both are co-educational. Emmanuel College teaches P-12 and St Michael's College teaches 7-12. Emmanuel College has 1,686 students and St Michael's College has 820 (ACARA 2025).
Is Emmanuel College or St Michael's College co-ed?
Both are co-educational.
Which is bigger, Emmanuel College or St Michael's College?
Emmanuel College is bigger: 1,686 students against 820 (ACARA 2025).
How many students per teacher do Emmanuel College and St Michael's College have?
Emmanuel College has 15.3 students per teacher and St Michael's College has 12.2 (ACARA My School 2025: total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff).
Which is older, Emmanuel College or St Michael's College?
Emmanuel College is older. Emmanuel College was founded in 1985 and St Michael's College in 1985.
Do Emmanuel College and St Michael's College take boarders?
Neither takes boarders.
How far apart are Emmanuel College and St Michael's College?
About 3.1 km in a straight line: Emmanuel College is in Carrara and St Michael's College is in Merrimac.
How do Emmanuel College and St Michael's College fees compare?
Each school publishes its own fee schedule. Members see both schedules year by year, the results each school reports and the total cost to Year 12. Always confirm current fees with the school.
Related comparisons
- Emmanuel College vs Josiah College
- Emmanuel College vs Trinity Lutheran College
- Aquinas College vs Emmanuel College
- All Saints Anglican School vs St Michael's College
- Arcadia College vs St Michael's College
- Josiah College vs St Michael's College
School profiles
Get the full picture: fees, ATAR results and cost to Year 12
Every year level’s fees from each school’s own schedule, the results each school publishes, and the total cost to Year 12, side by side.
Compare these schools in full →A$9.99 a year, cancel anytimeSecure payment by Stripe
Source and date
Enrolment, ICSEA, students per teacher and girls/boys: ACARA My School 2025. Other facts: each school’s website, checked 21 October 2026. Distance is a straight line between the schools’ map points, not travel distance. Check details with the schools before deciding. Methodology