Project how a 529 college savings plan grows with regular contributions and compound returns.
How It Works
How 529 College Savings Calculator Works
Starting from any existing balance, the calculator adds your monthly contribution each month and applies your expected rate of return, compounding monthly, for the number of years you specify until funds are needed — the same future-value approach used for any regular investment account.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this account for the tax advantages of a 529 plan?
No — this projects the investment growth itself; a 529's real advantage is that qualified education withdrawals aren't taxed on the growth, which this calculator doesn't attempt to quantify separately.
What return rate should I assume?
It depends on how the 529 is invested — many plans use age-based portfolios that shift from more aggressive to more conservative as the child nears college age, so a single flat rate is a simplification; adjust it to be more conservative the closer you get to needing the funds.
