🎓 College Cost Calculator

See the true 4-year cost of college in today's and future dollars — then find out exactly how much to save each month to be ready, plus the tax advantage of a 529 plan.

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Inputs
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Results
Total 4-Year Cost
Year 1 Total Cost
Year 4 Cost (inflated)
Total Gross Cost
Total Financial Aid (4yr)
Net 4-Year Cost
Monthly Savings Needed Now
Lump Sum Needed Now
529 Advantage (tax-free growth)
Future Cost = Current Cost × (1 + Inflation)^Years to Enrollment
Monthly Savings = PV × [r(1+r)ⁿ] / [(1+r)ⁿ − 1]

College tuition has historically inflated at 4–6% per year — more than double the general inflation rate. A public in-state school costing $28,000 today costs $40,000 in 10 years at 4% inflation. Starting a 529 plan at birth gives 18 years of compound growth — significantly reducing the monthly savings burden vs. starting at age 13.