Tools you might need next
Free online college cost calculator to estimate tuition, room, board, and fees over four years. Plan education expenses with inflation-adjusted projections.
Free online scholarship calculator to estimate financial aid gaps and remaining tuition after grants and scholarships. Plan how much you still need to cover.
Free online student loan calculator to estimate monthly payments, total interest, and payoff dates. Plan federal and private loan repayment today.
Tuition costs rise faster than general inflation. Project future costs based on a specified annual tuition inflation rate (typically 4-6%).
Future Cost = Current Annual Cost × (1 + Inflation Rate)^Years to CollegeProjects the future value of your initial savings and ongoing monthly contributions under a tax-sheltered compound rate of return.
Future Value = Principal × (1+r/k)^nt + PMT × {[(1+r/k)^nt - 1] ÷ (r/k)}Calculates the difference between the projected total college cost and the future value of your savings plan.
Savings Deficit = Future Cost Goal - Future Savings ValueUpdated: July 2026
Saving for a newborn baby who will attend a 4-year public university in 18 years, with current costs of $25,000/year and 5% inflation.
→ Future 4-year cost: ~$240,660; Projected savings: ~$154,500; Funding Gap: ~$86,160
Saving for a 12-year-old child with only 6 years left until college, contributing heavily to a low-risk portfolio.
→ Future 4-year cost: ~$160,800; Projected savings: ~$88,600; Funding Gap: ~$72,200
Projecting elite private tuition ($65,000/year currently) with an aggressive savings plan of $1,000/month.
→ Future 4-year cost: ~$540,500; Projected savings: ~$379,150; Funding Gap: ~$161,350
Saving for college requires planning for future tuition hikes. This calculator projects the future cost of higher education and evaluates the compound growth of your savings in accounts like 529 plans to see if your monthly contributions will meet your goal.