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Plan for College

529 plans, savings targets, and a framework to fund education without sacrificing your retirement.

College tuition has outpaced general inflation consistently for decades. A child born today faces estimated education costs of $150,000–$350,000 by graduation. A 529 plan started early can fund the majority of this through compound growth. The most important rule: prioritize retirement over college savings. You can borrow for college; you cannot borrow for retirement. If your retirement savings are underfunded, fund them first. Once you're on track, direct surplus toward a 529. A modest monthly contribution started early beats a large contribution started late.

Your action checklist

Work through each step — your progress saves automatically in this browser

Your progress—

Progress is saved in this browser only — no account needed.

Build the foundation

Start here

Confirm your own retirement is funded first

You can borrow for college — you can't borrow for retirement.

→ Retirement Planner

Estimate the 4-year cost and your gap

A concrete target makes the monthly number real.

→ College Planner

Open a 529 plan

Tax-free growth for education — and earlier dollars compound more.

Fund it consistently

Monthly

Set an automatic monthly 529 contribution

Steady contributions beat lump-sum guesses.

→ Budget Analyzer

Score your readiness and aid awareness

A plan beats hoping for financial aid.

→ College Readiness Score

Invite family to contribute

Gift contributions grow tax-free alongside yours.

Adjust over time

As college nears

Shift to a more conservative allocation

Protect the balance as enrollment approaches.

Revisit the target each year

Costs and your savings both change.

→ College Planner

Did you knowAbout $100/month in a 529 from birth can grow to roughly $40k by college at a 7% return.

Tools to help you plan for college

Free calculators and guides selected for this goal

College Planner

Project your 529 balance vs projected 4-year costs with gap analysis

College Readiness Score

Score your savings trajectory and financial aid awareness — with a personalized action plan

Retirement Planner

Confirm you're on track for retirement before allocating to college savings

Budget Analyzer

Find room in your budget for 529 contributions alongside other goals

Recommended reading

→How 529 college savings plans work →Understanding the college funding gap →Retirement vs college — how to prioritize → Browse all articles

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Educational disclaimer: All content on WealthSerene.com is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Projections and calculations are illustrative — actual results will vary based on market conditions, your specific situation, and many factors outside this tool’s scope. Always consult a qualified financial professional for advice specific to your situation. View full disclosures →