Enrolment statistics gathered from the Federal Government's My School website show a higher proportion of regional students attending public schools than the national average.

About 71 per cent of Hunter students went to state schools last year, 18 per cent to Catholic schools and 10 per cent to independent schools.

This compares with national figures of 66 per cent, 20 per cent, and 14 per cent respectively.

However, there was a slight shift about 2 per cent from public schools to Catholic schools in the region since the 2006 census.

Jayne Kearney, editor of Newcastle parenting magazine Sunny Days, said the statistics were, in part, likely to reflect the Hunter's working class demographics.

"Mostly it's a personal choice," she said. "It's just another parenting decision that you make.

"Also the perception is that private schools are out of people's financial budget."

University of Newcastle Pro Vice-Chancellor for education and arts Terry Lovat said that in addition to socio-economic factors, parents were choosing the public system because of the proximity and quality of the schools.

"We have developed, over a lot of decades, a particularly fine public system," Professor Lovat said.

"People in parts of Sydney would not have anything like the quality of schools we have, all within a short drive, even walking distance."

Ms Kearney said parents considering private schooling in the region had little choice outside religious schools.

Ninety-five per cent of the Hunter's private schools were religious.

Only four schools were independent two grammar schools and two Steiner schools.

"I think parents are looking for more options," Ms Kearney said.

The data also showed that private school enrolments in the Hunter were steady.