Calculator
529 College Savings Calculator
Estimate whether a 529 savings path is on pace for future college costs, using today's balance, monthly savings, timeline, cost growth, and aid assumptions.
Scenario
College plan
Start with one student's timeline, then adjust the savings path, college cost, and aid assumptions.
College cost
529 estimate
College savings target
More saving may be needed
$81,682
Projected balance at enrollment is $111,037 against a target balance of $192,719.
529 balance
$111,037
Projected value at first enrollment.
Target balance
$192,719
Estimated amount needed at enrollment.
Monthly needed
$898
Modeled monthly savings to hit the target.
Plan view
Compare the savings path, college-cost target, and assumptions behind the estimate.
Savings path
Funding target
How to use this 529 calculator
Use this as a college-savings checkpoint. It helps turn a future education bill into a current savings target.
Cost
Start with the school cost
Use today's annual cost as the starting point, then let the calculator inflate each college year into the future.
Time
Give the savings path a runway
The years until college shape how much current savings and monthly contributions can compound before the first bill arrives.
Gap
Read the funding signal
The result compares the projected 529 balance with the target balance needed at enrollment and estimates the monthly savings level.
1
Enter one student's plan
Model one beneficiary at a time. If you are saving for more than one child, run a separate scenario for each timeline.
2
Keep assumptions realistic
College inflation, investment return, and scholarships can move the result quickly, so use numbers you would be comfortable revisiting.
3
Use the gap as a planning checkpoint
A funding gap does not mean failure. It shows whether savings, school choice, aid, cash flow, or borrowing needs another look.
About this tool
What this helps you do
This calculator compares a 529 savings path with a future college-cost target so families can see whether the current plan is on pace.
How to interpret results
Treat the monthly savings estimate as a planning signal, not a promise. The right answer may involve savings, scholarships, school choice, cash flow, or student aid.
529 planning notes
A 529 plan can offer tax advantages for qualified education expenses, but account rules, state benefits, ownership, and beneficiary choices still matter.
Limitations
This model does not pull school-specific pricing, financial-aid formulas, state tax benefits, account fees, investment glide paths, or tax treatment for nonqualified withdrawals.