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Debt & Loans

College Cost Calculator

Project future college costs and estimate the monthly savings needed to fund a target share.

Best for: Project future college costs and estimate monthly savings needed to fund a selected share.

Your assumptions

Calculate your estimate

Your result

College Cost estimate

Projected college cost
$245,725.88
Target amount to fund
$245,725.88
Estimated monthly savings needed
$1,221.88

How to use this college cost calculator

Use this college cost calculator to connect today’s annual cost, education inflation, years until enrollment, program length, and the share you plan to fund. Aid, taxes, account rules, and uncertain attendance choices require separate planning.

  1. 1

    Enter current annual college cost

    Use a relevant total cost of attendance, not tuition alone.

  2. 2

    Set timing, inflation, and funding share

    Enter years until enrollment, expected program length, cost growth, and the percentage you intend to cover.

  3. 3

    Review the monthly savings target

    Compare the result with current education savings and alternative school-cost scenarios.

Worked planning example

Example: fund half of a four-year degree

Set up

Enter today’s annual cost, years until enrollment, four years of attendance, and a 50% family funding target.

Compare

Compare an in-state public option with a higher-cost private option.

Takeaway

Defining the share to fund can make the goal actionable without assuming the family must prepay every future dollar.

Plan with multiple school-cost scenarios

The eventual institution, aid package, attendance length, and education inflation are uncertain.

  • Use total cost of attendance.
  • Review tax-advantaged account rules.
  • Avoid sacrificing retirement security without a broader plan.

Calculation methodology and assumptions

For this college cost estimate, Silvia uses current annual college cost, years until college begins, years of college, annual education cost inflation, current college savings, estimated savings return, share of costs to fund. Project future college costs and estimate the monthly savings needed to fund a target share. Results are estimates, not quotes, tax advice, or investment recommendations.

Frequently asked questions

What costs should I include?

Use tuition, required fees, housing, food, books, transportation, and other expected attendance costs.

Does this include financial aid?

No. Reduce the target funding share or model expected aid separately.

Does the savings estimate assume investment growth?

Yes. The estimate applies the savings return you enter to your current balance and future contributions. If you prefer a return-free plan, set the savings return to 0 to see the pure gap divided by the timeline.

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