Project a 529 college savings plan against the future cost of college.
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the 529 Calculator?
Project a 529 college savings plan against the future cost of college. To use the 529 Calculator, enter current balance, monthly contribution, return, years until college, college cost per year today, college cost inflation; it returns projected 529 balance, four-year cost then, share of cost covered, and shows them instantly as you type.
Where the 529 Calculator fits
Project a 529 college savings plan against the future cost of college. The main figure it returns is the Projected 529 balance, worked out from the values you enter.
It belongs with the other budget & planning tools. If you are comparing options or checking a result from another angle, try the Long Term Care Calculator, Savings Plan Calculator or the Lifetime Earnings Calculator.
How to use the 529 Calculator
- Enter your numbers. Start with Current balance ($), Monthly contribution ($), Return (%), then fill in Years until college, College cost per year today ($), College cost inflation (%). Start with your real monthly figures, even if they are rounded. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Projected 529 balance, and the cards below show Four-year cost then, Share of cost covered. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the 529 Calculator using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Current balance ($) | 8,000 |
|---|---|
| Monthly contribution ($) | 300 |
| Return (%) | 6 |
| Years until college | 12 |
| College cost per year today ($) | 28,000 |
| College cost inflation (%) | 4 |
Results
| Projected 529 balance | $79,451.06 |
|---|---|
| Four-year cost then | $179,315.61 |
| Share of cost covered | 44.31% |
With these inputs the calculator returns Projected 529 balance: $79,451.06. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What if you change one input?
Sensitivity check: raising Current balance ($) from 8,000 to 9,600 (about 20% higher) and leaving everything else as in the example above changes the results like this:
| Result | Example | After the change | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projected 529 balance | $79,451.06 | $82,732.26 | +4.1% |
| Four-year cost then | $179,315.61 | $179,315.61 | 0% |
| Share of cost covered | 44.31% | 46.14% | +4.1% |
The input that moves the result most is the one to check twice. Change it in the calculator above to test your own case.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the 529 Calculator reports Projected 529 balance, four-year cost then and share of cost covered. Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. Results are only as good as the figures you enter; use real recent numbers. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I contribute to a 529?
There is no federal annual limit, but gifts above the gift tax exclusion ($19,000 in 2026) need reporting.
Do my numbers leave my device?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is stored on our servers.
Can I switch between monthly and yearly?
Yes. Amount fields on this calculator can be switched between a per-month and a per-year figure, so enter whichever you know.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
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