Two-year path
$15,000
Illustrative annual cost entered todayModel a lower-cost start, commuter option, or two-year program.
Plan today. Prepare for tomorrow.
College is coming.
Know the number.
Estimate future college costs, calculate a monthly savings goal, and see the gap between your current plan and the bill ahead.
Free to use No sign-up required Built for families
College Savings Calculator
All figures are estimates. Returns, inflation, financial aid, taxes, fees, and actual school costs may differ.
529 Planning Basics
Understand the account, the questions to ask, and where official guidance fits.
Explore 529 BasicsCollege Cost Scenarios
Model different schools, inflation rates, time frames, and family goals.
Run ScenariosSavings by Age
See how the same target changes when a child is 2, 8, 12, or 16.
View TimelinesBuilt for Parents. Helpful for Grandparents.
Clear tools for confident, informed family conversations.
Independent & Unbiased
No school, plan, or investment is being sold.
Your Privacy Matters
The calculator runs in your browser.
Made for Families
Simple, calm, and built with care.
The planning math
A big future bill becomes a set of visible assumptions.
Change the calculator inputs to build a scenario.
- Current savings are compounded over the years before college.
- Monthly contributions are modeled as end-of-month deposits.
- College costs are inflated for each projected school year.
- The result compares projected savings with the estimated total cost.
Four numbers to watch
1. Time: college starting age minus the child’s current age.
2. Savings: current balance plus projected monthly deposits and growth.
3. Cost: today’s annual estimate adjusted for inflation.
4. Gap: future cost minus projected savings.
Stress-test the plan
One future. Several possible price tags.
The preset buttons are intentionally editable examples. Use them to begin, then replace every assumption with numbers that fit your family.
Public-school path
$30,000
Illustrative annual cost entered todayBuild a middle scenario that can include tuition, housing, food, books, and travel.
Private-school path
$60,000
Illustrative annual cost entered todayUse a higher-cost scenario to see how much more time or monthly saving may matter.
Frequently asked
Clear questions. Clear planning answers.
The calculator keeps its assumptions visible because a useful estimate should be easy to challenge and change.
What does the calculator estimate?
It estimates the future value of current savings and monthly contributions, then compares that amount with a college-cost estimate adjusted for inflation.
Does this calculator provide financial advice?
No. It is an educational planning tool. It does not recommend an investment, account, school, or contribution level.
Why can the result change so much?
Time, investment return, college-cost inflation, and school type can all change the estimate. That is why the calculator keeps every major assumption visible and editable.
Can grandparents use the calculator?
Yes. The math works for parents, grandparents, guardians, or anyone helping a student prepare for future education costs.
Are the example school costs official averages?
No. The preset buttons are editable planning examples, not official national averages. Replace them with figures that fit the schools and expenses you want to model.