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College Cost Calculator

Project the true future cost of higher education with college tuition inflation, and calculate the exact monthly savings required to fully fund a 529 plan.

Yrs
Yrs
%
$

Average public 4-yr in-state: ~$28,000; private 4-yr: ~$58,000.

$
%
13 Years to College Enrollment Freshman Year: $49,621
Required Monthly Savings
$757.95/mo
To fully fund total projected 4-year tuition
Total Projected Degree Cost
$212,290
Projected 529 Investment Gains: $82,050
Total Degree Cost
$212,290
Family Outlay
$130,240
Investment Gains
$82,050
Monthly Savings
$758/mo

529 Savings Growth & Tuition Drawdown

Portfolio value progression from current age through graduation

529 Fund Value
$0 $106,977 $213,955 Age 5 Age 8 Age 12 Age 16 Age 20 Age 22

The Reality of Higher Education Tuition Inflation

Historically, college tuition and fees rise at roughly 1.5 to 2 times the rate of general consumer price inflation. A four-year degree costing $100,000 today will easily surpass $200,000 to $250,000 by the time a toddler reaches freshman year. Starting an early compound-interest investment strategy using a tax-advantaged 529 plan is critical.

Public 4-Year In-State University

Average current all-in cost (tuition, fees, room & board): ~$28,000/year.

Private Non-Profit 4-Year College

Average current all-in cost (tuition, fees, room & board): ~$58,000/year.

529 College Savings Plan Advantages

  • Tax-Free Compounding: Earnings in a 529 plan grow 100% tax-free at both federal and state levels.
  • Tax-Free Withdrawals: Distributions spent on qualified higher education expenses (tuition, room & board, books, computers) are completely exempt from income tax.
  • SECURE 2.0 Rollovers: Unused 529 funds (up to $35,000 lifetime) can now be rolled over penalty-free into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary.

Understanding your calculation

Method, example and limitations

How the calculation works

College-cost projections grow the entered current costs to the attendance years and compare those costs with modeled savings and contributions.

Example to check

A current annual cost of 20,000 rising by an assumed 5% becomes 21,000 after one year, before grants or other adjustments.

Before using the result

Tuition, housing, aid, attendance duration and investment returns are uncertain. An estimate is not an institution’s bill or a financial-aid offer.

Calculation methodology · Report a result that needs review