Project future college costs with 5-6% annual inflation, model your savings growth, and see if you're on track to cover college expenses.
A college cost calculator projects the future cost of college and whether your current savings plus monthly contributions will cover it. It factors in the current annual cost (tuition + room + board), the number of years until college starts, tuition inflation (historically 5-6% per year), years in college, current savings, monthly contributions, and expected investment return. The output shows the projected savings balance at college start, total cost over the college years, and the surplus or shortfall.
US average is ~$25,000 (public) to ~$60,000 (private)
4 for bachelor's; 2-3 for associate / graduate
Historical average ~5-6%
529 default: aggressive allocation ~6-7%
$245,726
$50,970
$57,011
$194,756
| Year | Annual cost |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | $57,011 |
| Year 2 | $59,862 |
| Year 3 | $62,855 |
| Year 4 | $65,998 |
Assumes constant annual return on investments and constant inflation. Real-world numbers vary year to year. Use 529 plans for tax-advantaged college savings (federal tax-free growth; many states offer state income tax deduction). Coverdell ESA is an alternative with income limits.
Cross-checked against authoritative formulas (IRS, NIST, ACSM) and updated for 2025/2026 tax years and rates.
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A college cost calculator is a free college-savings planning tool that projects the future cost of college and whether your savings plus monthly contributions will be enough. Our college cost calculator factors in current annual college cost, years until college starts, tuition inflation rate (historically 5-6% per year), years in college, current savings, monthly contributions, and expected investment return. The output shows projected savings balance, total cost, and the surplus or shortfall.
How it works
Our college cost calculator projects the future cost of college and whether your current savings plus monthly contributions will cover it, factoring in tuition inflation and investment returns.
Type the current annual cost (tuition + room + board + fees + books) for the school or school type you're targeting. Public in-state ~$25,000; private ~$60,000 are common baselines.
Type how many years until your child starts college and how many years they will be in school (4 for bachelor's; 2-3 for associate or graduate programs).
Type current savings and the monthly amount you'll add. The college cost calculator grows the savings at your expected investment return until college starts.
Tuition has historically grown 5-6% per year. Investment returns for 529 plans default to ~6-7% with an age-based portfolio. The college cost calculator uses both rates to project total cost and final balance.
The college cost calculator shows the projected savings balance at college start, the total cost over all college years, and the surplus or shortfall. It also shows year-by-year cost with inflation baked in.