Skip to main content
/
529 calculatorcollege savings calculator529 plan projectorhow much to save for collegecollege funding gap529 tax deductioneducation savings
//// Education · Savings

529 College Savings Calculator

See if your 529 plan will cover college costs. Get an inflation-adjusted 4-year cost estimate, funding gap, monthly contribution needed, and state tax savings.

Where this fits

📈 Investing & WealthCash FlowFoundersStudents

This tool lives inside Cash Flow and is most useful for founders and students.

GPA Scale4.0
Avg Student Debt$37,700
Compound FrequencyMonthly

Child & College

529 Account

Projected Balance

$91,785

at age 18

Total College Cost

$196,565

4-yr inflation-adj

Shortfall

$104,780

additional needed

Monthly Needed

$697.68

to fully fund

Funding Progress47%
$0Target: $196,565

How Your Balance Grows

$8,000

Starting balance

$46,800

Your contributions

$36,985

Investment growth

YearAgeContributionGrowthBalance
20276$3,600$560$12,160
20287$3,600$851$16,611
20298$3,600$1,163$21,374
20309$3,600$1,496$26,470
203110$3,600$1,853$31,923
203211$3,600$2,235$37,758
203312$3,600$2,643$44,001
203413$3,600$3,080$50,681
203514$3,600$3,548$57,828
203615$3,600$4,048$65,476
203716$3,600$4,583$73,660
203817$3,600$5,156$82,416
203918$3,600$5,769$91,785

State Tax Deduction Benefit

Contributing up to $3,000/yr may qualify for a state income tax deduction. At a 5% state rate, that's an estimated $1,950 in state tax savings over 13 years.

529 deduction rules vary by state — verify your state's specific rules at your state's 529 plan website.

Close the Gap

Adding $397.68/mo more to your 529 would fully fund Public (In-State) at the current projections. You have 13 years — compounding is on your side.

1

Years Until College

18 − Child's Current Age

= 13 years

Child is 5 now → starts college at 18

2

Future College Cost (Year 1)

Current Annual Cost × (1 + Inflation)^Years

= $46,289

$27,800/yr × (1 + 4%)^13

3

Total 4-Year Cost (Inflation-Adjusted)

Sum of 4 annual costs (each year more expensive)

= $196,565

Years 1–4 at 4%/yr college inflation

4

Projected 529 Balance

FV = PV×(1+r)^n + PMT×[(1+r)^n−1]/r

= $91,785

$8,000 balance + $3,600/yr @ 7% for 13 yrs

5

Savings Gap

Projected Balance − Total 4-Year Cost

= $104,780 shortfall

$91,785 − $196,565

6

Monthly Contribution Needed to Fully Fund

Solve PMT from FV annuity formula

= $697.68/mo

Additional $397.68/mo above current $300.00/mo

7

Estimated State Tax Savings

Deductible Amount × State Tax Rate × Years

= $1,950

$3,000/yr deductible × 5% × 13 yrs

#ShowYourWork

You might also need

Is College Worth It? ROI Calculator

Honest, data-driven college ROI calculator. Enter total cost, loan amount, expected salaries, and years to graduate to see lifetime earnings premium, break-even years, 40-year NPV, and side-by-side comparison with trade school. No spin — just the math.

Try it

Compound Interest Calculator

See how your money grows with compound interest and regular contributions. Watch year-by-year growth, apply the Rule of 72, and see the real power of compounding.

Try it

What Will Your Student Loan Really Cost You?

See the true cost of your student loan — total interest, monthly payment, and exactly how much you'll pay back vs. what you borrowed.

Try it