Loading PageLoading
ZOVATOOL

College Cost / 529 Calculator

Total future cost
$210,622.18
Projected savings
$58,260.79
Shortfall
$152,361.40
First-year cost (inflated)$48,866.84
Monthly needed to fully fund$1,229.72
Current savings covers27.66%

How to use the College Cost Calculator

  1. Enter current annual college cost (tuition + room + board).
  2. Enter years until enrollment and duration (usually 4).
  3. Enter cost inflation — historically 5–8% for US college.
  4. Enter current 529 balance, monthly contribution and expected return.
  5. Read total future cost, projected savings, shortfall and monthly needed to fully fund.
Advertisement

Why college inflation breaks every intuition

US college costs have grown 5–8% annually — about 2× general inflation. A $30k/year school today will cost around $50k/year in 10 years.

529 plans grow tax-free for qualified education expenses. Many US states also give a state income tax deduction — free money for saving.

Overfunding is not a disaster. Since 2024, up to $35k of unused 529 funds can roll to a Roth IRA for the beneficiary (subject to rules).