Financial Calculators
College Cost Calculator
Project the future cost of college.
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About the College Cost Calculator
College costs rise faster than general inflation, so the price years from now can be startling. Enter today's annual cost, the years until your child starts, an education inflation rate, and the number of years in school to project the first-year cost and the full multi-year total. It's the starting point for setting a realistic savings goal.
How to use the College Cost Calculator
- 01Enter your current annual cost, years until college, inflation rate, and years in school.
- 02Read the result instantly — it recalculates as you type.
- 03Adjust the numbers to model different scenarios.
Frequently asked questions
How fast do college costs rise?
Education inflation has historically run around 5% a year — noticeably faster than general inflation, which is why saving early matters.
How much should I save?
Work backward from the projected total. Even partial funding plus financial aid and current income can cover the gap.