College in 13 years, at 18
$25,850 a year in 2025–26, before aid
$
$
A month
More options· 6% growth, college costs up 2.9% a year
%
A year, after fees
%
A year
Your savings when college starts
$80,490
4 years of college could cost $156,590 by then.
- Covered
- 51%
- Still to find
- $76,100
- To cover it, save
- $627/mo
What this means
In a 529 plan, savings grow free of federal tax, and withdrawals for tuition, housing, books and other qualified costs are tax-free too. Many states also give a tax deduction or credit for what you put in, often only for their own plan.
Most families don’t pay the full published price: grants and scholarships cut it for many students. Saving even part of the cost means borrowing less. Up to $35,000 left over can later move to your child’s Roth IRA.
Year by year
| Child’s age | Put in | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | $8,600 | $8,998 |
| 8 | $15,800 | $17,728 |
| 10 | $23,000 | $27,537 |
| 12 | $30,200 | $38,558 |
| 14 | $37,400 | $50,942 |
| 16 | $44,600 | $64,856 |
| 18 | $51,800 | $80,490 |
Towards the cost
$200,000$100,000$0
681012141618
Put inGrowthCost
Assumptions in this estimate
- 2025–26 published prices from College Board: tuition and fees of $11,950 plus housing and food of $13,900 a year, rising 2.9% a year (they rose 2.9% at public and 4.0% at private colleges last year). Books, travel and other costs are extra.
- Savings grow 6% a year after fees, with the same amount added each month until college starts at 18. Money for later years of college keeps growing in practice, which helps a little.
- Gifts into a 529 count towards the $19,000 yearly gift tax exclusion, and you can spread a gift of up to $95,000 over five years.
- State tax breaks for contributions aren’t included: check your state’s plan.