College Savings Calculator

Plan and track your college savings goals easily.

Inputs

Target and contributions

$
$
$

Results

Projected balance

Target

$100,000

Final balance

$112,223

Goal met

Yes

Total interest

$48,223

Balance Over Time

Projected balance by year

Contributions vs Interest by Year

All 15 years

Yearly Breakdown

First 15 years. Download full schedule for all 15 years.

YearBalanceContributionsInterest
1$14,336$3,600$736
2$18,939$3,600$1,003
3$23,827$3,600$1,287
4$29,015$3,600$1,589
5$34,524$3,600$1,909
6$40,373$3,600$2,249
7$46,582$3,600$2,609
8$53,174$3,600$2,992
9$60,173$3,600$3,399
10$67,604$3,600$3,831
11$75,492$3,600$4,289
12$83,868$3,600$4,775
13$92,760$3,600$5,292
14$102,200$3,600$5,840
15$112,223$3,600$6,423

How It Works

  • Enter Your College Savings Goal and Details
    • Target: The total amount you want to save for college (e.g., $100,000).
    • Years to Save: How many years you plan to save (e.g., 15 years).
    • Initial Deposit: The amount you have already saved or are starting with (e.g., $10,000).
    • Monthly Contribution: The amount you plan to add each month (e.g., $300).
    • Annual Interest Rate: The average interest rate you expect on your savings (e.g., 6%).
  • Calculate
    • Click “Calculate” to see your results instantly.
    • Use “Reset” to clear inputs and start over if needed.
  • Review Your Results
    • Projected Balance: Shows your estimated total savings at the end of your chosen timeframe.
    • Goal Met: Clearly indicates whether you’ve reached your target based on your inputs.
    • Final Balance: The ending balance, including both your contributions and interest.
    • Total Interest: The cumulative interest your savings earned.
    • Yearly Breakdown Table: Displays for each year:
      • Balance
      • Total contributions made that year
      • Interest earned that year
  • Visualize Your Progress
    • Balance Over Time Chart: See how your savings grow each year toward your goal.
    • Contributions vs. Interest Chart: Understand the portion of your savings that comes from your own deposits versus the interest you earn.
  • Export and Share
    • Copy: Copy results for sharing or recordkeeping.
    • Export PDF / Export Excel: Download your full savings schedule or yearly breakdown for easy reference or to share with others, such as a financial advisor.

This calculator is designed for simplicity and transparency, making it easy for families to plan college funding with confidence.

Understanding College Savings

College can be one of the biggest investments a family makes. Tuition, housing, and other expenses add up quickly, and planning ahead is crucial to avoid unexpected financial strain.

Saving for college helps you prepare for these costs, reduce reliance on student loans, and give your child more options when the time comes.

A college savings calculator is a practical tool for families and individuals who want to understand how their current saving habits stack up against future college costs.

It helps answer questions like, are we saving enough? Will our current contributions meet our target by the time college starts? By visualizing your savings growth and interest over time, you can make more informed decisions and adjust your plan as needed.

How This Calculator Helps

This College Savings Calculator is designed to help you set, track, and reach your college savings goals. By entering a few simple details, your target savings amount, years to save, initial deposit, monthly contribution, and expected annual interest rate, you can instantly see whether you’re on track to meet your goal.

The calculator provides:

  • Projected Final Balance: See what your savings could grow to by your target year.
  • Goal Achievement Status: Instantly know if you’re on pace to meet your target.
  • Total Interest Earned: Understand how much of your balance comes from interest, not just contributions.
  • Year-by-Year Breakdown: View yearly balances, contributions, and interest earned.
  • Visual Charts: Track your progress over time and see how contributions and interest work together.

All results are designed to give you a clear, straightforward picture of your college savings plan, making it easier to adjust contributions or timelines as needed.