529 College Savings Calculator
Calculate 529 college savings from your own entered figures.
Loading calculator…
Currency: Amounts are calculated in the currency you select; this site does not convert between currencies and does not use live exchange rates.
What this tool does
Calculate 529 college savings from your own entered figures. Costs are inflated at one constant rate and returns are smooth; state tax deductions for 529 contributions and financial-aid effects are not included.
How to use the 529 College Savings Calculator
- Enter or select current 529 balance.
- Enter or select monthly contribution.
- Enter or select expected annual return (%).
- Enter or select years until college starts.
- Enter or select annual college cost today.
- Enter or select annual college cost inflation (%).
- Enter or select years of college to fund.
- Read the calculated result; change any measurement to compare alternatives.
Formula
the 529 balance compounds monthly contributions at the entered return until college starts; the funding target is the sum of each college year's cost, with today's annual cost inflated to that year
- balance
- Current 529 balance
- monthly
- Monthly contribution
- ret
- Expected annual return (%)
- yearsTo
- Years until college starts
- costNow
- Annual college cost today
- inflation
- Annual college cost inflation (%)
- collegeYears
- Years of college to fund
Costs are inflated at one constant rate and returns are smooth; state tax deductions for 529 contributions and financial-aid effects are not included.
Worked example
For 529 college savings calculator, the following measurements illustrate the exact method: Current 529 balance: 10000; Monthly contribution: 250; Expected annual return (%): 6; Years until college starts: 13; Annual college cost today: 25000; Annual college cost inflation (%): 4; Years of college to fund: 4.
Inputs
- Current 529 balance10000
- Monthly contribution250
- Expected annual return (%)6
- Years until college starts13
- Annual college cost today25000
- Annual college cost inflation (%)4
- Years of college to fund4
Result
- Projected 529 balance when college starts$79,517.08
- Projected total cost of the college years$176,766.87
- Surplus / shortfall-$97,249.78
- Funded ratio44.98%
Results explained
- Projected 529 balance when college starts
- Projected 529 balance when college starts from the formula above. Costs are inflated at one constant rate and returns are smooth; state tax deductions for 529 contributions and financial-aid effects are not included.
- Projected total cost of the college years
- Projected total cost of the college years from the formula above. Costs are inflated at one constant rate and returns are smooth; state tax deductions for 529 contributions and financial-aid effects are not included.
- Surplus / shortfall
- Surplus / shortfall from the formula above. Costs are inflated at one constant rate and returns are smooth; state tax deductions for 529 contributions and financial-aid effects are not included.
- Funded ratio
- Funded ratio from the formula above. Costs are inflated at one constant rate and returns are smooth; state tax deductions for 529 contributions and financial-aid effects are not included.
Frequently asked questions
the 529 balance compounds monthly contributions at the entered return until college starts; the funding target is the sum of each college year's cost, with today's annual cost inflated to that year
Costs are inflated at one constant rate and returns are smooth; state tax deductions for 529 contributions and financial-aid effects are not included.
No. All numbers are entered by you or come from the dated reference table shown on this page; calculations run locally.
This is an estimate, not financial, tax or legal advice. Verify the inputs and output with official sources and a qualified professional.
Check period consistency, currency, percentage inputs and the assumptions: Costs are inflated at one constant rate and returns are smooth; state tax deductions for 529 contributions and financial-aid effects are not included.