Solway College vs St Mary's College (Wellington)
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Wellington, New Zealand, 80 km apart, using official New Zealand 2026 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Solway College
Masterton ยท State integrated secondary (year 7-15) ยท Years 7โ13
211 students
St Mary's College (Wellington)
Wellington CBD ยท State integrated secondary (year 9-15) ยท Years 9โ13
556 students
| Measure | Solway College Masterton, Wellington | St Mary's College (Wellington) Wellington CBD, Wellington |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (NZ) | 68 Top 25% | 68 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #23 of 46 | #21 of 46 |
| National rank | #117 of 486 | #112 of 486 |
| Sector | State integrated | State integrated |
| Type | Secondary (Year 7-15) | Secondary (Year 9-15) |
| Year range | Years 7โ13 | Years 9โ13 |
| Students | 211 | 556 |
| Equity Index (EQI) | 431 | 429 |
| Total roll | 211 | 556 |
| Roll growth (5 yrs) | 17.9% | -9.8% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 2+ | โ | 93.3% |
| Leavers with NCEA Level 3+ | โ | โ |
| Leavers with University Entrance | โ | 83.8% |
| Mฤori students | 23.7% | 21.8% |
| Pacific students | 1.4% | 41.5% |
| International students | 1.4% | 0.7% |
| suburb or town | Masterton | Wellington CBD |
| region | Wellington | Wellington |
| Website | www.solwaycollege.school.nz | www.stmw.school.nz/ |
The verdict
- โขBoth schools have almost identical Success Index (NZ) scores (67.9 vs 68.4).
- โขSt Mary's College (Wellington) does better on equity index (fewer barriers is higher) (429 vs 431).
- โขSt Mary's College (Wellington) does better on roll size (556 vs 211).
- โขSolway College does better on roll growth (5 years) (17.9% vs -9.8%).
- โขSt Mary's College (Wellington) is the larger school with 556 students compared with 211.
The Success Index (NZ) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Solway College better than St Mary's College (Wellington)?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index (NZ). Differences in sector, size, programmes and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Solway College and St Mary's College (Wellington)?
About 80 km in a straight line, between Masterton and Wellington CBD in Wellington.
Which has the better Equity Index (EQI)?
Solway College: 431. St Mary's College (Wellington): 429. Ministry of Education measure of socio-economic barriers faced by students; lower means fewer barriers.
How do Solway College and St Mary's College (Wellington) rank in Wellington?
Solway College is 23rd of 46 and St Mary's College (Wellington) is 21st of 46 among secondary (year 7-15) schools in Wellington on the 2026 Success Index (NZ).