College Cost Calculator
Project the inflation-adjusted total cost of college and the monthly savings needed to fund it from your current savings and expected return.
Independently verified for accuracy
Calculator by Toolsloft ↗- Total future cost
- $175,518.49
- Projected savings
- $35,816.95
- Shortfall
- $139,701.53
- Monthly savings needed
- $852.47
This calculator projects the full cost of a college education after tuition inflation and shows the monthly saving needed to close the gap. Enter today cost, when school starts, and how long it lasts to plan a realistic savings target.
How this is calculated
Each future year of cost is grown by the tuition inflation rate, then summed across all years in school. Current savings grow at the expected return until college begins. The required monthly deposit is the payment that funds the remaining shortfall as a future-value annuity at that return.
How to use
- Enter the current annual cost of attendance.
- Enter the years until college starts, the years in school, and the tuition inflation rate.
- Enter your current savings and expected return to see the total cost and monthly savings needed.
Examples
- $25k/yr now, 10 yr out, 4 yr school:
total $175,518 - with $20k saved at 6%:
save $852/mo
FAQ
- Why is the total so much higher than today cost?
- Tuition has historically risen faster than general inflation. This tool grows each future year of cost at the rate you set, so a four-year degree a decade out can cost far more than the same degree today.
- What inflation rate should I use?
- College cost inflation has often run around 4% to 6% per year, above general inflation. Use a figure that matches the type of school you are planning for.
- Does this assume a 529 plan?
- It is plan-agnostic. The expected return can reflect a 529, a brokerage account, or savings. A 529 may add tax advantages this tool does not model.