College Cost Calculator
College inflation historically runs above CPI. Project four-year costs at enrollment time and measure them against your savings trajectory.
Projected total cost
$196,580.70
- Projected savings at enrollment+years
- $84,980.76
- Shortfall
- $111,599.95
Cover roughly $2,325.00/month more, or plan student loans for the gap.
How the College Cost Calculator works
The calculation follows the standard method used across the US — no shortcuts, no hidden assumptions. Here is exactly what happens behind the scenes:
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does tuition inflate?
Long-run published-price inflation averages roughly 4–6% annually — faster than general CPI. Private sticker prices amplify the gap.
529 plan advantages?
Tax-free growth for qualified education, high limits, and many states add deductions — the default vehicle for dedicated college savings.