US 529 College Savings Calculator 2025
Project your 529 plan balance vs. inflation-adjusted college cost. Find the monthly contribution needed to fully fund your child's education.
529 Plan Parameters
Projection Results — 13 years to college
Year-by-Year Projection
| Year | Child Age | Total Contributions | Investment Gains | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | $8.6K | $479 | $9.1K |
| 2 | 7 | $12.2K | $1.3K | $13.5K |
| 3 | 8 | $15.8K | $2.3K | $18.1K |
| 4 | 9 | $19.4K | $3.8K | $23.2K |
| 5 | 10 | $23.0K | $5.6K | $28.6K |
| 6 | 11 | $26.6K | $7.7K | $34.3K |
| 7 | 12 | $30.2K | $10.3K | $40.5K |
| 8 | 13 | $33.8K | $13.4K | $47.2K |
| 9 | 14 | $37.4K | $16.9K | $54.3K |
| 10 | 15 | $41.0K | $21.0K | $62.0K |
| 11 | 16 | $44.6K | $25.6K | $70.2K |
| 12 | 17 | $48.2K | $30.8K | $79.0K |
| 13 | 18 | $51.8K | $36.6K | $88.4K |
Come utilizzare US 529 College Savings Calculator 2025
Enter Child's Age and College Start Age
Input your child's current age and the expected age when they start college (typically 18). This determines the investment horizon.
Set Target College Cost
Enter the estimated total 4-year college cost in today's dollars. Average 4-year public university: ~$100K; private: ~$220K.
Configure Contributions and Return Rate
Set your current 529 balance, monthly contribution, and expected annual return. A diversified portfolio typically returns 6-8% annually.
Review Projected Savings vs Cost
The calculator shows your projected balance vs inflation-adjusted college cost. If there's a gap, it shows the monthly contribution needed to close it.
Suggerimenti
- Start as early as possible — a 529 started at birth has 18 years of compound growth.
- Many states offer a tax deduction for 529 contributions — check if your state does.
- Consider front-loading: IRS allows "superfunding" up to 5 years of gift tax exclusion ($90K) at once.
Domande frequenti
What is a 529 plan?
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings account designed for education expenses. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but earnings grow tax-free and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses (tuition, fees, books, room and board).
What are qualified 529 expenses?
Qualified expenses include tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment, room and board (if enrolled at least half-time), computers for school use, and K-12 tuition up to $10,000/year. Student loan repayment up to $10,000 lifetime is also allowed.
What happens if my child doesn't go to college?
You can change the beneficiary to another family member (sibling, cousin, etc.). You can also withdraw for non-qualified expenses — you'll pay income tax plus a 10% penalty on the earnings portion. Starting 2024, unused 529 funds can be rolled over to a Roth IRA (lifetime limit $35K per beneficiary).
Are 529 contributions tax-deductible?
Federal law does not allow a federal tax deduction for 529 contributions. However, 36+ states offer a state income tax deduction or credit for contributions to their state's 529 plan.