Your child’s age, your savings and today’s cost of a year of college in; whether it covers four years at 18, and what closes any gap, out. No signup.
Planning estimate — actual returns, costs and aid will vary.
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Wildly variable: in the US, roughly $12,000–$30,000 per year at public in-state universities (tuition, fees, room and board) and $60,000+ at private colleges. Enter the number for the kind of school you have in mind — today's price; the calculator inflates it.
College costs have historically risen faster than general inflation — 4–6% a year is the common planning range. It compounds against you the same way returns compound for you, which is why starting early matters twice.
Age-based 529 portfolios start stock-heavy and get conservative near college. Over a full childhood, 5–7% is a reasonable planning assumption; shorten the horizon and the number should drop.
The calculator shows the extra monthly savings that closes it — but real families also close gaps with scholarships, financial aid, in-state choices and the student working. A partial plan started today beats a perfect plan started someday.