Money
529 College Savings Calculator
Last updated: June 19, 2026
A 529 calculator is a financial planning tool designed to estimate the future value of a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan. The calculator projects account growth by compounding an initial balance and recurring contributions at an assumed rate of return over a specified time horizon, typically until a child enters college. Many versions allow users to compare the projected balance against estimated tuition and fee targets to identify potential funding gaps. Parents and financial planners use this tool to determine the monthly savings rate required to cover future higher education expenses.
Enter your current 529 balance, monthly contribution, years until college, and expected annual return. The calculator projects your future balance, total contributions, growth, and gap or surplus against a college cost target.
Quick Answer
Project the future value of a 529 college savings plan. Enter your starting balance, monthly contributions, expected returns, and target costs to estimate savings.
e.g. 5,000
Combined family contribution; round numbers are fine. · e.g. 300
e.g. 15
A diversified age-based 529 portfolio often projects 5 to 7%. · e.g. 6
Set to 0 to skip the gap calculation. · e.g. 100,000
About this projection
A 529 college savings plan is a tax-advantaged account for qualified education expenses. Contributions grow tax-free and qualified withdrawals (tuition, fees, books, certain room and board) are federal-tax-free. State tax treatment varies, and some states offer a deduction on contributions to the in-state plan.
Educational projection only. Not investment, tax, or financial aid advice. Real returns, fees, and tax treatment vary; consult a qualified financial professional.
Projected 529 balance
$99,516.08
$483.92 short of the $100,000.00 target.
The model uses monthly compounding and end-of-month contributions. Use a real (inflation-adjusted) return rate if you want projections in today's dollars; otherwise the balance is in future nominal dollars.
Examples
$5k start · $300/mo · 15 yrs · 6%
Final ≈ $118,000 · target $100k → surplus $18k
$0 start · $250/mo · 18 yrs · 6%
Final ≈ $96,000
$20k start · $500/mo · 12 yrs · 7%
Final ≈ $156,000
$5k start · $100/mo · 10 yrs · 5%
Final ≈ $23,000
How it works
The calculator compounds monthly. The starting balance grows at the monthly rate, and contributions are added at the end of each month.
Future value · starting × (1+r)^n + contrib × ((1+r)^n − 1) / r
Monthly rate · r = annual_return / 12
Months · n = years × 12
For projections in today's dollars, subtract an inflation estimate from the expected return to get a real return.
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Disclaimer. Educational growth projection only. Does not include 529 plan fees, state tax treatment, financial aid impact, or specific plan rules. Not investment, tax, or financial aid advice.
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Frequently asked questions
A 529 is a tax-advantaged college savings plan. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars (federal); investments grow tax-free; qualified withdrawals for education expenses are federal-tax-free. Most states offer their own 529 plans, and many allow a state income tax deduction for contributions to the in-state plan.
Qualified education expenses: tuition, fees, books, supplies, certain room and board (if at least half-time enrollment), and computer equipment for school. Up to $10,000 per year can be used for K-12 tuition. Recent law also allows limited rollovers to a Roth IRA in certain cases.
The calculator compounds the starting balance month by month at (annual return / 12) and adds the monthly contribution at the end of each month. Future value = starting × (1+r)^n + contribution × ((1+r)^n − 1) / r, where r is the monthly rate and n is the number of months.
Age-based 529 portfolios typically project a 5 to 7% nominal return over a 15- to 18-year horizon, shifting from equities to bonds as the beneficiary approaches college age. Use a number that fits the asset allocation in your specific plan. For projections in today's dollars, subtract an inflation estimate to get a real return.
No. The model uses a net return rate. Real 529 plans charge expense ratios (often 0.10 to 0.50%) and may have state-administered fees. To incorporate them, subtract the all-in fee from your expected return before entering it. Net of fees, expected returns are slightly lower than gross.
Excess 529 funds can be: changed to another qualifying family member as beneficiary, used for a sibling's college, used for K-12 tuition up to $10,000 per year, or (under recent law and IRS guidance) rolled to a Roth IRA in limited cases. Non-qualified withdrawals are subject to federal income tax on earnings plus a 10% penalty.
No. This is an educational growth projection. It does not include 529 plan fees, market volatility, state tax treatment, financial aid impact, or the specific rules of any 529 plan. Consult a qualified financial professional and the 529 plan disclosure documents before contributing.
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