College Savings Calculator
Enter your child's age, today's yearly cost of college and your current savings to project the future cost, what your savings will grow to by enrollment, and how much you need to save each month to close the gap.
Tuition, fees, room and board in today's money.
Before college; conservative plans use 4%–6%.
How to use the College Savings Calculator
- Enter the child's age, the age college starts and how many years it lasts.
- Enter the yearly cost today and the expected college cost inflation rate.
- Add what you have saved, what you save each month and the return you expect.
- Read the monthly savings needed and compare it with your current plan's surplus or shortfall.
- Check the chart and table to see the fund grow and then pay for each college year.
How the college savings plan is calculated
1. Future cost. Each college year's cost grows from today's price at the college inflation rate: costi = cost today × (1 + inflation)years until college + i.
2. Amount needed at enrollment. You don't need all four years' money on day one, because the rest of the fund keeps earning while the first years are paid. The target is the present value of the college bills on the first day of college: Σ costi ÷ (1 + r)12i, with r the monthly return.
3. Projected savings. Your current balance and monthly deposits grow as FV = S × (1 + r)n + P × ((1 + r)n − 1) ÷ r, where n is the number of months until college.
4. Monthly savings needed = (target − S × (1 + r)n) ÷ ((1 + r)n − 1) ÷ r.
Example (the default inputs): a 5-year-old, $30,000 a year in today's money, 4% cost inflation and a 6% return. Four years starting at 18 cost about $212,120; with $10,000 already saved, the plan needs about $731 a month.
Monthly savings needed to fully fund 4 years
Starting from $0, college at 18, 4% yearly cost inflation and a 6% annual return. Yearly cost is in today's money.
| Child's age now | $10,000 / yr | $30,000 / yr | $60,000 / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $203 | $609 | $1,217 |
| 5 | $274 | $823 | $1,646 |
| 10 | $432 | $1,297 | $2,593 |
| 14 | $839 | $2,517 | $5,033 |
Starting early matters most: the same goal costs far less per month for a newborn than for a teenager because the savings have more time to compound.
Choosing your assumptions
- Cost today: use the college's published cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, food). Public in-state colleges, private colleges and community colleges differ by several times.
- Inflation: college prices have often risen faster than general inflation; 3% to 5% a year is a common planning range.
- Return: a long horizon can justify a higher expected return; many plans shift to safer assets as college nears, so a moderate figure is prudent.
- Share to cover: if you expect scholarships, aid or the student's own contribution, save for less than 100%.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I save each month for college?
It depends on the child's age, the cost of the school and your expected return. With $0 saved, $30,000 a year in today's money, 4% cost inflation and a 6% return, a newborn needs roughly $610 a month to cover four years, while a 10-year-old needs about $1,300 a month. Enter your own numbers above for an exact figure.
How fast does college cost rise?
Published college prices have historically risen faster than general inflation, though growth has slowed in recent years. Many planners use 3% to 5% a year. Change the inflation input to test different scenarios.
Why is the amount needed at enrollment less than the total cost?
You pay college one year at a time. Money for the later years stays invested during college and keeps earning, so the lump sum needed on the first day is the present value of the four bills, which is a little less than their sum.
What return should I assume?
Long-term stock-heavy portfolios have historically returned more than bonds or cash, but returns are never guaranteed. Age-based 529 plans become more conservative as college nears, so 4% to 6% is a common, cautious planning range.
Does this include financial aid or scholarships?
No. Set 'Share of cost to save for' below 100% if you expect aid, scholarships, work income or loans to cover part of the bill.
What is a 529 plan?
In the US, a 529 plan is a tax-advantaged education savings account: growth is tax-free when withdrawals are used for qualified education expenses. This calculator works for any savings vehicle; it does not model taxes.
Is my data saved?
Your inputs stay in your browser only. Nothing is uploaded or shared.