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529 Plan Calculator (US)

Project your 529 college savings plan balance against the real, inflation-adjusted cost of college — and find out exactly how much more to save each month to close any gap.

years old
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Tuition, fees, room & board for one year, in today's dollars

%
Balance at College Start
$76,574
Projected Total College Cost
$227,567
Funding Shortfall
$150,993
Saving $250 a month from age 5 to 18 projects to a balance of $76,574. Over 4 years of college, inflating at 5% a year, the total projected cost is $227,567. That leaves a shortfall of $150,993 — closing it needs an extra $641.30 a month on top of your current plan.
Balance at College Start$76,574

Year-by-Year Savings Projection

529 plan balance projection by age, including contributions and growth
AgeContributionGrowthEnding Balance
6$3,000.00$592.73$11,592.73
7$3,000.00$814.32$15,407.06
8$3,000.00$1,049.58$19,456.64
9$3,000.00$1,299.35$23,755.99
10$3,000.00$1,564.53$28,320.52
11$3,000.00$1,846.06$33,166.58
12$3,000.00$2,144.95$38,311.53
13$3,000.00$2,462.28$43,773.81
14$3,000.00$2,799.18$49,573.00
15$3,000.00$3,156.86$55,729.86

Why college cost inflation matters

This calculator inflates today's college cost forward to the year your child actually enrolls, then compounds it across every year they're in school — giving a realistic target instead of comparing your savings to today's prices.

For example, saving $250 a month from age 5 to 18, growing at 6%, reaches $76,574 — against a projected 4-year college cost of $227,567 once 5% annual cost inflation is factored in.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 529 plan?

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged US savings account designed for education expenses. Contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses — tuition, fees, room and board, books, and more.

Is there a contribution limit for 529 plans?

There's no federal annual contribution limit, but contributions count toward the annual gift tax exclusion ($19,000 per giver per beneficiary for 2026, or $38,000 for married couples). Most states also set an aggregate lifetime limit per beneficiary, often $300,000–$550,000.

What happens to leftover 529 funds if my child doesn't need them all?

You can change the beneficiary to another family member, use the funds for the account owner's own qualifying education, or — since 2024 — roll over up to $35,000 (lifetime) into the beneficiary's Roth IRA, subject to Roth contribution limits and a 15-year account age requirement.

Why does college cost inflation matter so much in this calculator?

College costs have historically risen faster than general inflation. A target based on today's costs alone will understate what you actually need by the time your child enrolls — this calculator inflates the cost forward to the year each year of college is actually paid for.