College Cost Calculator
Estimate total college costs including tuition, room, board, and fees over 4 years.
College Cost Calculator
Estimate total college costs including tuition, room, board, and fees over 4 years.
Savings Growth Formula
ℹ️ Assumes monthly compounding interest
Disclaimer
Results provided by this calculator are for informational and educational purposes only. They are based on the values you enter and standard formulas, and should not be considered financial, medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions based on these results. Roughtools makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of these calculations for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pro Tips
Time in the market beats timing the market. Missing just the 10 best trading days over 20 years can cut your returns in half. Stay invested through downturns.
Tax-advantaged accounts (401k, Roth IRA) let your investments grow tax-free or tax-deferred — always max these before investing in taxable accounts.
The Rule of 72: divide 72 by your annual return to estimate years to double. At 7%, money doubles every ~10.3 years. At 10%, every 7.2 years.
Increase your contribution by just 1% of salary each year you get a raise. You won't notice the difference in take-home pay, but it compounds dramatically over decades.
When to Use This Calculator
See how even small monthly contributions grow dramatically over time with compound returns — motivation to start immediately.
Calculate how much to save monthly to reach a college fund target in 10–18 years at a realistic return rate.
Project your portfolio balance at retirement based on current savings rate and expected returns.
Compare the outcome of investing a windfall now versus spreading it as monthly contributions over time.
Compare outcomes at different return rates (5%, 7%, 9%) to understand the impact of investment choice on final balance.
About the College Cost Calculator
This college cost calculator estimates the total 4-year cost of a college education accounting for annual tuition inflation, room and board, books, and fees. Enter the current annual cost, expected years until enrollment, tuition inflation rate, and monthly savings to see your savings goal and whether you're on track. Built for parents planning 529 college savings and families comparing school costs.
How to Use the College Cost Calculator
- 1
Enter the current annual tuition and fees at your target school.
- 2
Enter the annual room and board cost (or commuter costs if applicable).
- 3
Enter the number of years until the student starts college.
- 4
Enter the expected annual college cost inflation rate (historically 4–6%).
- 5
Enter your monthly savings and investment return to see if you'll meet the goal.
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