College Cost Calculator
College costs rise faster than general inflation. Enter today’s annual cost and this calculator projects the total for every attendance year, then works out how much of it your savings can cover and the monthly contribution required to fund the rest.
TheCalculators — College Cost Calculator
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Total Projected College Cost
$154,625
4 years starting in 3 yr, costs inflating 5.0%/yr
- First-Year Cost
- $35,875
- Covered by Savings
- $54,119 (35%)
- From Other Sources
- $100,506
- Current Savings Grow To
- $0
- Still Needed at Start
- $54,119
- Required Monthly Saving
- $1,422.67
How the cost is funded
- Savings (grown)$0
- New Monthly Saving$54,119
- Other Sources / Aid$100,506
Projected cost by attendance year
Tax-advantaged 529 plans grow tax-free — set the tax rate to 0% to model one. Financial aid, scholarships and work-study can further reduce the out-of-pocket share.
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Formula
Future cost = Today’s cost × (1 + inflation)^(years until each college year); Required saving = (Target − FV of current savings) annuitized at the after-tax return
Pro tips
- • Every year of delay in saving meaningfully raises the required monthly amount.
- • 529 plans offer tax-free growth for qualified education expenses.
- • Compare with each college’s official net price calculator for aid-specific estimates.
FAQ
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