Estimate the total cost of college including tuition, fees, room & board, and supplies. Plan for your education expenses with our free calculator.
Future value = P(1 + r/n)^(nt) + PMT × [((1 + r/n)^(nt) − 1) ÷ (r/n)]
The exact terms used depend on the contribution and compounding frequency selected.The estimate uses the starting balance, contribution or withdrawal schedule, time horizon and assumed rate entered. Compounding frequency, contribution timing, inflation, fees, taxes and employer or program rules affect how closely the estimate resembles a real account.
College Cost Calculator estimates how contributions, time, withdrawals or an assumed return can affect a future or present value. Estimate the total cost of college including tuition, fees, room & board, and supplies. Plan for your education expenses with our free calculator. It is designed for scenario planning rather than predicting market performance.
It is an estimate generated from the values entered on this page and the calculation method shown in the formula and methodology sections.
The calculator validates the entered values, applies the protected formula shown on the page and then rounds only the displayed result where appropriate.
Use current source values, confirm units and time periods, include every requested cost or measurement, and avoid rounding inputs before the final calculation.
Different calculators may use different assumptions, time periods, rounding rules, reference standards or included costs. Compare the inputs and limitations before comparing answers.
No. It provides an estimate from the entered assumptions. Actual rates, fees, taxes, eligibility rules, policy terms and market performance can change the final outcome.
Recalculate whenever a material input changes, such as a rate, price, balance, measurement, time period, fee, contribution or project dimension.
Create a base case with the contribution and return assumption you consider reasonable. Then test a lower return, a later start or a higher contribution to see which change has the largest effect on the projected value.