College Savings Goal Calculator
Project college savings growth versus inflated future tuition and see your funding gap, surplus, and monthly amount needed.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
College Funding
Click chart to expand
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
Favorable assumptions
Based on your inputs
Higher costs / lower savings
Compare Scenarios
Pin up to 3 and see them side by sideSet your inputs, then Pin current to save this scenario. Pin a few variations to compare their scores and outcomes here.
What Moves the Needle Most
How much each factor changes your Future College Cost across its full range. Years to College has the biggest impact.
Focus your attention on Years to College — getting it right matters most. Factors lower down move the result less, so rough estimates there are fine.
Confidence & Assumptions
The outcome is fairly stable across best and worst cases — this is a robust decision.
Future College Cost: €44,896 (worst) → €44,896 (expected) → €44,896 (best)
These are the estimates the result depends on. Adjust them (and the Advanced inputs) to match your real situation — the closer they are to reality, the more reliable your decision.
These estimates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual results may vary based on factors not captured in this calculator.
How This Calculator Works
What this calculator does
Projects whether current savings and monthly contributions will cover today’s college cost grown with education inflation.
How the calculation works
Future cost = current cost × (1 + education inflation)^years. Savings compound monthly from current balance and contributions. Gap = future cost − projected pot; we also show the monthly contribution needed to close it.
Formula
FutureCost = CurrentCost × (1+i)^Years Projected = FV(currentSaved) + FV(monthly contributions)
Example
€25,000 today’s cost, 12 years away at 5% education inflation, €5,000 saved + €250/mo at 7% return — see surplus or gap and the monthly save rate to hit the goal.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for College Savings Goal Calculator. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
Future cost = current cost × (1 + education inflation)^years. Savings compound monthly from current balance and contributions. Gap = future cost − projected pot; we also show the monthly contribution needed to close it.
- 3Review results and scenarios
Check metrics, cost breakdown, comparison tables, and best / expected / worst scenarios. Use sliders to stress-test assumptions.
- 4Decide with the verdict
Read the decision engine recommendation and FAQ. Example: €25,000 today’s cost, 12 years away at 5% education inflation, €5,000 saved + €250/mo at 7% return — see surplus or gap and the monthly save rate to hit the goal.
Factors to Consider
- Scholarships and need-based aid
- Room and board beyond tuition
- 529 / ISA tax wrappers
- In-state vs private tuition
Common Mistakes
- Using today’s tuition without inflation
- Assuming high returns without risk
- Ignoring living costs on campus
- Funding only one year of college
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I save per month?+
Work backward from the gap — this tool shows the monthly amount needed to hit the inflated cost target.
What return should I assume?+
A diversified long-term portfolio might use 5–7% nominal. Be more conservative if the horizon is short.
Does this include room and board?+
Only if you include them in current college cost. Add them for a fuller target.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.
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