Project 529 plan growth with contribution schedules, state tax deductions, investment returns, and college cost coverage analysis.
Estimate how a 529 balance may grow from an existing balance and scheduled contributions before college begins. The calculator applies an assumed investment return, projects college costs using the entered inflation rate, and compares available savings with the resulting education expense. It also incorporates the state tax deduction assumptions you provide. The coverage percentage is often misread as a promise: it is a projection whose result can change substantially with investment performance, contribution timing, tuition inflation, and the student's enrollment plans.
A concrete input and expected output from the current implementation.
Input
Current 529 balance: $10,000 Annual contribution: $0 Years until college: 4 Annual investment return: 0% Current annual college cost: $2,500 College cost inflation: 0% Years of college: 4 State tax deduction: none
Expected output
Projected 529 balance at college: $10,000 Projected four-year college cost: $10,000 Amount covered: 100% Funding gap: $0 Estimated state tax benefit: $0
With no contributions and a 0% return, the balance remains $10,000. Four years at $2,500 per year totals $10,000 when cost inflation is 0%, so the balance covers the entire projected cost.
The growth projection starts with the current 529 balance, adds contributions according to the entered schedule, and applies the assumed investment return through the period before college. Changing the contribution amount, frequency, saving period, or return assumption changes the projected balance. The figure is an estimate rather than a guaranteed account value.
The cost side begins with the entered college expense and increases it using the selected education-cost inflation assumption. The calculator compares that projected expense with the projected 529 savings to show coverage and any surplus or shortfall. State deduction results depend entirely on the state tax values entered and do not establish actual eligibility.
No. It means the projected 529 value equals the projected costs under the entered assumptions. Actual tuition, fees, enrollment length, investment returns, and contribution history may differ. Expenses omitted from the cost input are not covered by the percentage, even if the displayed result reaches or exceeds 100%.
No. The calculator can estimate the deduction or related tax effect from the values supplied, but it cannot confirm residency, plan eligibility, filing status, contribution treatment, recapture provisions, or current state rules. Check the result against the applicable state's official tax guidance before using it in a return or savings decision.
The example and behavioral notes were checked against the browser implementation. Standards and primary references below define the relevant format, formula, or platform behavior.
Calculate gross, operating, and net profit margins from cost and revenue with breakeven analysis.
Convert between annual salary and hourly rate with adjustments for work hours, overtime, and benefits.
Calculate sales tax amounts, tax-inclusive and tax-exclusive prices for any tax rate or jurisdiction.
Calculate return on investment from initial cost and final value with annualized ROI and comparison tables.
Convert between markup and margin percentages, calculate selling price, and compare pricing strategies.
Convert numeric amounts to written words for invoices, checks, and legal documents in multiple currencies.