College Cost Calculator
What college will actually cost when your kid gets there — and whether your savings will cover it
Tuition + room & board
Historically ~4–5%
529 or other education funds
Related calculators
All finance- Education Savings CalculatorProject a 529 college fund and the monthly savings to reach a goal
- Scholarship & Net Cost CalculatorNet college cost after scholarships, grants, and family funds
- Mortgage CalculatorCalculate monthly mortgage payments including taxes and insurance
- Loan CalculatorCalculate monthly payments for personal, auto, or business loans
- Compound Interest CalculatorSee how compound interest grows your savings over time
- Tip CalculatorCalculate tip amount and split the bill between multiple people
Quick summary
College costs have historically inflated around 4–5% a year — faster than general inflation — so a school costing $30,000/year today runs about $49,000/year in ten years, and the full four years about $211,000. Enter your current savings and monthly contribution to see the coverage percentage and, if there's a gap, the exact additional monthly amount that closes it before freshman year.
Reviewed by Simple Calculators TeamLast reviewed
For planning only — not financial or tax advice. Results are estimates based on your inputs and the stated assumptions. Confirm important decisions with a qualified professional.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the inputs requested by the calculator.
- Choose the units or options that match your situation and review the assumptions.
- Run or update the calculation to see the result.
- Review the result, breakdown, and formulas shown on the page.
- Check the inputs, units, dates, and limitations before saving or sharing the result.
Frequently asked questions
How much will college cost in 10 years?
At 5% college inflation, multiply today's cost by 1.63. Today's $30k/year public out-of-state or mid-tier private becomes ~$49k/year; the four-year total lands near $211k because each successive year inflates further. In-state publics (~$25k today all-in) project to ~$175k for four years.
How much should I save monthly for college?
A rough rule: $250/month from birth covers a good share of in-state public; $500+ aims at private. The precise answer depends on your timeline and target — this calculator computes it directly as the additional-monthly-needed figure.
Do most families pay the sticker price?
No. After grants and scholarships, average net price runs roughly 55–60% of sticker at private colleges and 70–80% at publics. Run each school's federally-required net price calculator for an estimate specific to your finances — planning to sticker is conservative, planning to net is realistic.
Why use a 529 plan?
Contributions grow tax-free and withdrawals for qualified education costs are untaxed — worth roughly 15–25% more money versus a taxable account over 18 years. Many states add a state-tax deduction. Unused funds can now roll to the beneficiary's Roth IRA (lifetime cap applies) under SECURE 2.0, softening the old overfunding worry.
Key terms
- College Inflation
- Tuition's own inflation rate — historically ~4–5%, above CPI.
- 529 Plan
- The tax-advantaged education account: tax-free growth and withdrawals for qualified costs.
- Net Price
- Sticker minus grants and scholarships — what families actually pay.
- Coverage Percentage
- Projected savings ÷ projected total cost — 100% means fully funded.
Methodology, sources & limitations
This page shows the formula, assumptions, and limitations used for this estimate. Rates, thresholds, and other time-sensitive inputs can change, so verify them against the relevant official source before relying on a result.
For our review approach and the primary sources we consult, see the methodology and source policy. If you spot an outdated figure or formula, please contact us with a correction.