529 College Savings Calculator
Project how your college savings plan will grow over time with regular monthly contributions.
Why starting early matters so much for college savings
Because compound growth needs time to build momentum, starting a college fund when a child is young — even with modest monthly contributions — can outperform larger contributions started later. This calculator makes that time advantage visible: try comparing a 15-year timeline against a 5-year timeline with the same monthly contribution to see the difference.
529 plans specifically offer tax-advantaged growth for education expenses in many jurisdictions, which can make the effective growth rate meaningfully better than a comparable taxable account — though specific tax treatment varies by location, so it's worth confirming the rules that apply to your plan.
Adjusting your plan as college costs become clearer
Education costs vary enormously depending on the type of institution (public in-state, public out-of-state, private) and are likely to change between now and when your child enrolls. It's worth revisiting this projection periodically and adjusting your monthly contribution as you get a clearer sense of the actual target amount you're aiming for.
This calculator assumes a constant contribution and return rate for simplicity — in practice, many families increase contributions over time as income grows, which would reach the goal faster than this straight-line projection suggests.
Frequently asked questions
Are 529 plan earnings tax-free?
In the US, 529 plan growth is generally tax-free when used for qualified education expenses, though specific rules and any state tax benefits vary — check your specific plan and jurisdiction's rules for details.
What if I don't know exactly how much college will cost yet?
That's normal this far in advance — many families use a general savings target and adjust contributions over time as costs and the child's education path become clearer, rather than trying to pinpoint an exact number today.