Intergtm

College Savings 529 Calculator

See if you're on track to cover college costs with 529 savings, accounting for education inflation and investment growth.

Inputs

$

Tuition + room & board; use current average for your target school type

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$
$
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Results update as you type, and the address bar keeps your numbers so the link you share reopens this exact calculation.

Funding gap (negative = on track)

$163,893

Savings gap — consider increasing contributions.

Detailed results
Estimated total future cost$263,991
Projected 529 balance at college$100,098
Monthly contribution needed to fully fund$947
Estimated annual state tax savings$180

What this result means

Funding gap (negative = on track): $163,893.

You have a $163,893 funding gap. To fully cover costs, you need approximately $947/month.

Year-by-Year 529 Growth vs Cost

Projected 529 balance and cumulative cost milestone each year.

Year-by-Year 529 Growth vs Cost. 14 rows, first 12 shown.
Child AgeYear529 BalanceEst. Cost (if college were today)
52,026$10,000$35,000
62,027$14,300$36,750
72,028$18,901$38,588
82,029$23,824$40,517
92,030$29,092$42,543
102,031$34,728$44,670
112,032$40,759$46,903
122,033$47,212$49,249
132,034$54,117$51,711
142,035$61,505$54,296
152,036$69,411$57,011
162,037$77,869$59,862

How this is calculated

Future cost = annual_cost × (1 + inflation)^years × college_years. Projected balance = FV(savings, return, years) + FV_annuity(contributions, monthly_rate, months).

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings account for education expenses. Contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified education expenses (tuition, room and board, books) are also tax-free. Many states offer a state income tax deduction for contributions.

Education inflation. College costs have historically risen at 4–6% per year, faster than general inflation. A school costing $35,000/year today could cost $57,000–$62,000/year in 13 years. Ignoring this understates your savings need.

529 investment options. Most plans offer age-based portfolios that automatically shift from stocks to bonds as college approaches, and individual fund options. Early contributions benefit from decades of growth — starting early matters enormously.

Qualified expenses. Tuition, fees, required books, supplies, room and board (up to the school's cost of attendance), and technology required for enrollment. Non-qualified withdrawals face income tax plus a 10% penalty on earnings.

Contribution limits. There are no annual contribution limits, but contributions above the annual gift tax exclusion ($18,000 per donor in 2025 — VERIFY) may trigger gift tax reporting. You can superfund a 529 by contributing up to 5 years of exclusions at once ($90,000).

Assumptions

  • Education inflation applied uniformly to annual cost for all years.
  • 529 contributions invested at a constant annual return throughout the accumulation period.
  • State tax savings estimated using state tax rate × annual contribution; actual deduction limits and eligibility vary by state.
  • Total cost includes tuition, room and board, and fees as entered — does not add scholarships or financial aid.
  • Qualified distribution rules follow current IRS guidelines; consult a tax advisor for edge cases.

Frequently asked questions

›Can I use 529 funds at any school?

Yes — accredited colleges, universities, vocational schools, and some international schools. Also eligible: K-12 tuition up to $10,000/year, student loan repayment up to $10,000 lifetime.

›What if my child doesn't go to college?

You can change the beneficiary to another family member, roll up to $35,000 lifetime into a Roth IRA (new from 2024 — VERIFY eligibility), or withdraw with a 10% penalty on earnings plus income tax.

›Does a 529 affect financial aid?

Parental 529 assets are counted at 5.64% in the FAFSA Expected Family Contribution — more favorable than student assets (20%). Grandparent-owned 529s no longer affect FAFSA under current rules (SECURE 2.0 changes — VERIFY current FAFSA methodology).

›Which state's 529 plan should I use?

If your state offers a deduction, use your state's plan to capture the deduction. If not, compare fees and investment options across all states — you can use any state's plan regardless of where you live.

›Can I contribute more than the annual gift exclusion?

Yes, but amounts above $18,000/year (2025 — VERIFY) count against your lifetime gift tax exemption, or you can elect to spread a lump-sum contribution over 5 years.

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