Tuition Inflation Calculator
Project future college tuition costs adjusted for tuition inflation and calculate savings needed to cover them.
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How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter the current annual tuition at the target institution.
- 2
Set how many years until enrollment and the expected years in school.
- 3
Enter a tuition inflation rate (historically 4–6% in the US) and expected investment return.
- 4
Add your current education savings and annual contributions to see the funding gap and monthly savings needed.
Frequently asked questions
What tuition inflation rate should I use?
College tuition in the US has historically increased at roughly 4–6% per year — about twice general inflation. Private universities tend to increase faster than public ones. Using 5% is a reasonable baseline; use 4% for a conservative estimate or 7% for a cautious scenario.
What investment return should I use for education savings?
A 529 college savings plan invested in age-based portfolios might return 5–7% annually when the child is young (more stocks) and 2–4% when close to enrollment (more bonds). A blended 6% is a common planning assumption over a 10+ year horizon.
Does this include room, board, and other costs?
This calculator focuses on tuition only. Total cost of attendance including room, board, books, and personal expenses is typically 40–80% more than tuition alone. To plan for total costs, multiply the projected tuition by a cost-of-attendance multiplier (e.g., 1.6 for a boarding university).
College Tuition Inflation Calculator
Why tuition inflation outpaces general inflation
College tuition has risen at roughly double the rate of general inflation for decades. Factors include reduced state funding for public universities, increased demand, expanded administrative costs, and the availability of student loans that allow price increases to pass through to students. A $35,000/year tuition today becomes $57,000+ in 10 years at 5% annual inflation.
The power of early saving
Starting a college fund at birth versus at age 10 makes a dramatic difference. At 6% annual return, $3,000/year for 18 years grows to $95,000. The same $3,000/year for only 8 years grows to just $30,000. Starting early and letting compound growth do the work is the most effective college savings strategy.
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Results are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional financial, medical, legal, or technical advice. Read full disclaimer →