529 College Funding Planner

Project tax-advantaged 529 growth for each child and measure it against the projected cost of four years of college. Adjust the assumptions and contributions to explore your funding path.

Shared assumptions

Annual investment return7.0%

College cost inflation5.0%

Assumes a four-year course of study. The “needed at 18” figure is the lump sum required at the start of college to fund all four years, with each year’s cost inflated to its payment date and the unspent balance continuing to grow at the assumed return.

Enter your expected cost — not necessarily the sticker price. Each child has their own “expected college cost / yr” field, so you can plan a different type of school per child. Enter what you actually anticipate paying out of pocket: if you expect scholarships, grants, or need-based financial aid, use your estimated net cost after that aid. To plan for the full published price, use the reference figures below.

Why these default assumptions?

7% return

A reasonable long-run planning figure for a diversified, age-based 529 portfolio. U.S. stocks have historically returned roughly 10% per year and bonds far less; because age-based 529 options gradually shift from stocks toward bonds and cash as the child nears college, a blended ~6–7% nominal return over the full horizon is a sensible middle ground. Returns vary year to year and are not guaranteed.

5% college inflation

College prices have historically risen faster than general inflation — often cited near 5% annually over the long run. Recent increases have been more moderate (public four-year tuition rose ~2.9% and private ~4.0% for 2025–26), so 5% is a deliberately conservative figure that builds in a cushion against future spikes.

$80k / yr cost

A planning midpoint between today’s average all-in private nonprofit cost (~$65k) and elite or Ivy-type schools (~$90–96k). It reflects aiming for a well-funded private-college target. Adjust it to match the type of school you’re planning for using the figures below.

Typical published college costs

As of the 2025–26 academic year · verify current figures before relying

School type	Tuition & fees	Total cost / yr
Public 4-year, in-state	$11,950	~$30,990
Public 4-year, out-of-state	$31,880	~$50,920
Private nonprofit 4-year	$45,000	~$65,470
Ivy / elite private	~$66,000	~$90–96k

“Total cost” is the average published cost of attendance — tuition, fees, housing, food, books, and other expenses for one year. These are sticker prices before financial aid; many families pay a lower net price, particularly at private and elite schools with large endowments. Public and private figures: College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2025 (summary). Ivy / elite figures reflect published 2025–26 cost of attendance from individual university financial-aid pages.

By child

Household summary

Total projected at 18

Total needed

Combined funded

Combined shortfall