College Savings Calculator

Calculate monthly savings needed for college: enter total cost, years and current savings to get monthly deposit.

College Savings Calculator

Calculate monthly savings needed for college: enter total cost, years and current savings to get monthly deposit.

Total college cost($)

Already saved($)

Years until college

Return(%)

Enter values above and click Calculate — results will appear here with the formula explained.

Monthly = (cost - saved*(1+r)^n) * r / ((1+r)^n -1) where r=rate/12, n=years*12

How does this work?

Monthly savings needed is future value of annuity to reach cost from current savings at rate. With zero return, simple division.

529 plans grow tax-free for education. This assumes monthly contributions end of month.

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What is College Savings?

Monthly savings needed is future value of annuity to reach cost from current savings at rate. With zero return, simple division. Formula: Monthly = (cost - saved*(1+r)^n) * r / ((1+r)^n -1) where r=rate/12, n=years*12

Quick Answer

College Savings Calculator: Calculate monthly savings needed for college: enter total cost, years and current savings to get monthly deposit. Formula: Monthly = (cost - saved*(1+r)^n) * r / ((1+r)^n -1) where r=rate/12, n=years*12. Example: With $100k cost, $20k saved, 10y, 6%: need ~$568/mo.

What it does: Calculate monthly savings needed for college: enter total cost, years and current savings to get monthly deposit.
Formula: Monthly = (cost - saved*(1+r)^n) * r / ((1+r)^n -1) where r=rate/12, n=years*12
Inputs: Total college cost ($) · Already saved ($) · Years until college · Return (%)
Example: With $100k cost, $20k saved, 10y, 6%: need ~$568/mo.

Calculator Inputs at a Glance

Field	What to enter
Total college cost ($)	e.g. 100000
Already saved ($)	e.g. 20000
Years until college	e.g. 10
Return (%)	e.g. 6

All fields use the exact formulas shown below — results include step-by-step breakdowns you can verify by hand.

How to Use This Calculator

1Enter total cost, already saved, years until college and return.
2Calculate to see monthly savings needed.
3Start early: 18 years vs 10 cuts monthly almost half.

Formula Used

Monthly = (cost - saved*(1+r)^n) * r / ((1+r)^n -1) where r=rate/12, n=years*12

Monthly savings needed is future value of annuity to reach cost from current savings at rate. With zero return, simple division.

529 plans grow tax-free for education. This assumes monthly contributions end of month.

AdSense ready — add NEXT_PUBLIC_GOOGLE_ADSENSE_PUBLISHER_ID

728×90 — AdSense

Worked Example

With $100k cost, $20k saved, 10y, 6%: need ~$568/mo. At 0% need $667/mo.

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Savings Goal Calculator

Calculate monthly savings needed to reach goal: enter target amount, years, current savings and rate to see monthly deposit.

Compound Interest Calculator

See how a lump sum grows with compounding — plus optional regular contributions.

Scholarship Calculator

Calculate scholarship impact from tuition, scholarship and years — see net cost, savings and remaining need.

Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat is 529?

Tax-advantaged for education, grows tax-free if used for qualified.

QWhat rate?

Age-based 529 is ~6-7% early, gliding to 2-3% near college.

QIf behind?

Increase monthly, extend years (community college first 2), or target lower cost school.

Quick Answer

What it does: Calculate monthly savings needed for college: enter total cost, years and current savings to get monthly deposit.

Formula: Monthly = (cost - saved*(1+r)^n) * r / ((1+r)^n -1) where r=rate/12, n=years*12

Inputs: Total college cost ($) · Already saved ($) · Years until college · Return (%)

Example: With $100k cost, $20k saved, 10y, 6%: need ~$568/mo.

Field

What to enter

Total college cost ($)

e.g. 100000

Already saved ($)

e.g. 20000

Years until college

e.g. 10

Return (%)

e.g. 6