529 calculator: what it becomes by college
Monthly contributions, compounded to age 18 - then measured against what college might actually cost. Pick your state to see your tax break.
Grandparent gifts, past contributions, whatever's in there today.
About a year.
6% is a common planning number. Age-based portfolios glide more conservative near college, which trims late growth. Recent years have run hotter - that rarely lasts 18.
Used only for the state tax estimate below.
At 18 projected balance
4-year public, in-state
4-year private
- You put in
- Growth does the rest
One money note a month
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How this works
- Contributions run monthly from now until your child turns 18, compounding at the rate you set. No inflation adjustment - these are future dollars.
- There's no federal annual cap on 529 contributions. The number that matters is the gift-tax exclusion: each giver can put in about $19,000 per child per year (2025) with zero gift-tax paperwork, or elect to front-load five years at once - about $95,000 per giver. Since grandparents and relatives each get their own exclusion, "what you add each month" here can be the whole family's combined stream.
- The college cost comparison uses rough national averages (about $29,000/year public in-state, $62,000/year private, all-in) inflated 5% per year to enrollment. Your number can be very different; treat the percentages as a vibe check, not a quote.
- * State tax figures are approximations, last reviewed October 2026 - caps are per year and some are per child. Rules change every legislative season: confirm with your state's plan or tax authority before making moves.
- Money in a 529 is for education (with exceptions). Unused balances can move to a sibling, wait for grad school, or roll up to $35,000 into your kid's Roth IRA after 15 years.
- Projections are illustrations, not promises. Real returns vary year to year.
Not financial, tax, or investment advice. New here? Read A 529, Explained for New Parents, see how it compares to the Trump Account, or run the Trump Account numbers.