Free · Tax-free growth · Education-only
529 calculator
Project your child's 529 college savings plan. Tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals for qualified education, and 30+ states offer a deduction on contributions.
2026 4-year private college sticker price · College Board Trends in College Pricing · SECURE Act 2.0 §126
~$240,000 all-in · ~$108,000 in-state public · K-12 $10k/yr eligible
College Board 2026 survey: private 4-year average tuition+fees+room+board ~$60k/yr, in-state public ~$27k/yr. SECURE 2.0 expanded 529 use to $10k/yr K-12 tuition and a $35,000 lifetime Roth IRA rollover from unused 529 balances.
We add the Roth-rollover outcome as a defaulted line item because the 'what if my kid doesn't go to college' objection is the single biggest reason 529s get underfunded.
Why a 529 over a regular savings account
- Tax-free growth: like a Roth IRA but for education
- Tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses (tuition, books, room and board, computer)
- State tax deduction in 30+ states on contributions ($500–$20k/year)
- $35,000 lifetime rollover to Roth IRA (SECURE 2.0) if not used for education
- No income limits on contributions; high contribution ceilings ($300k–$550k per beneficiary)
$300/month from birth to 18
- 4% return (conservative): ~$96,000
- 6% return (balanced): ~$118,000
- 7% return (more stock): ~$132,000
- 9% return (aggressive): ~$163,000
Cost of college in 2026
| School type | Annual (all-in) | 4-year total (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| In-state public 4-year | $28,840 | ~$115,000 |
| Out-of-state public | $46,730 | ~$187,000 |
| Private 4-year | $60,420 | ~$242,000 |
| Elite private (Ivy) | $85,000+ | ~$340,000+ |
Sticker prices; assume 4–5% annual increase for 2044 graduation.
529 Calculator FAQ
What's a 529 plan?
A state-sponsored, tax-advantaged investment account for education expenses. Each state offers at least one plan; you can use any state's plan regardless of where you live or where the student attends college. Earnings grow federal- (and usually state-) tax-free.
What if my child doesn't go to college?
Three options: (1) transfer beneficiary to another family member (sibling, cousin, you, your spouse), (2) withdraw — pay tax + 10% penalty on earnings only, (3) roll up to $35,000 to a Roth IRA in the beneficiary's name (SECURE 2.0, lifetime cap, account must be 15+ years old).
Are 529 contributions tax-deductible?
Federal: no. State: 30+ states offer a deduction or credit on contributions, ranging from a few hundred dollars to $20,000+ per year. Check your state — NY offers $5k deduction (single)/$10k (joint), Illinois $10k/$20k, Indiana 20% tax credit.
529 vs Coverdell ESA — which is better?
529 has higher contribution limits ($300k+ lifetime vs $2k/year for ESA), broader use (K–12 tuition, college, trade school), and state tax deductions. ESA wins only for K–12 expenses where 529 doesn't apply in some states. Default to 529 in most cases.
Does a 529 hurt financial aid?
Yes, slightly. Parent-owned 529s count as 5.64% of asset value in FAFSA calculations — vs 20% for student-owned assets. A $50,000 529 reduces aid by about $2,820/year. Grandparent-owned 529s now don't count under FAFSA Simplification Act (2024–25).
What investments are in a 529?
Most 529s offer age-based portfolios that automatically shift from heavy stock to heavy bond as the child approaches college. You can also pick static portfolios (100% stock, 60/40, etc.). Total expense ratios in the cheapest plans (Nevada, Utah, Michigan) are 0.10–0.20%.
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