Finance Calculator
529 Calculator
Project future college savings, compare your portfolio against rising tuition, and see the monthly contribution needed to stay on track.
Why this 529 calculator is useful
A 529 plan estimate becomes more helpful when it connects the investment side with the education-cost side. This page does both so you can see growth, target cost, and the gap in one view.
What the projection includes
The estimate combines your current balance, monthly contributions, expected return, and tuition inflation. It then projects the first-year tuition cost and rolls that forward for each year the student is in college.
How to read the result
Look first at the projected 529 balance, then compare it with the target amount you want to cover. If there is a shortfall, the calculator shows the monthly contribution needed to close the gap before college starts.
Planning note
This is a scenario tool, not a promise. If you are making a high-stakes plan, run a base case, a conservative case, and a higher-inflation case before deciding on your monthly target.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 529 plan?
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged education savings account commonly used to save for college and other qualified education expenses.
What assumptions have the biggest impact?
The return rate, tuition inflation rate, years until college, and monthly contribution usually change the output the most.
Should I enter private or public college costs?
Enter the cost that best matches your planning target today. You can rerun the calculator with a higher or lower annual cost to compare scenarios.
Does this include tax benefits or scholarships?
No. This version focuses on account growth and tuition projections. You can subtract expected aid or expected tax benefits separately when making your final plan.