Sources verified · July 7, 2026

College-Fund Projector

Pick your child's age and a college-cost target, and we'll show the monthly amount to fund it by 18 — and how much starting early, or a 529 you already have, changes the number.

New here? See it work with example numbers:

The goal

Use 0 for a newborn. We save until age 18.

Today's average total cost of attendance (College Board 2025-26).

Usually 4.

%

Many families aim to cover part and fund the rest from income or aid.

What you have and expect

Any 529 or earmarked balance you've already got.

%

A long-run planning assumption — not a guarantee. Markets vary.

No ads or lead-gen

What this tool does and doesn’t do

  • Does: project the monthly contribution to fund a chosen share of college by age 18, using College Board 2025-26 average costs grown at a 5%/yr planning assumption, the value of any savings you already have, and the return you enter.
  • Doesn’t yet: financial aid, grants, or scholarships (which reduce what you need to save), the tax advantages of a 529 plan, a specific school’s cost, or investment risk and taxes — real markets and tuition don’t move in a straight line.
  • This is a hypothetical projection to size a savings goal, not investment advice or a forecast. Aid and scholarships often cover a real share, so treat the number as a full-sticker target, not a bill.