College Savings Basics: Contributions, Assumptions, and 529 Sketches
A constant monthly deposit and a fixed assumed return can illustrate a path. They cannot promise market results or explain your state’s 529 tax treatment.
What the worksheet actually does
It compounds a starting balance monthly and adds end-of-month contributions. Growth is whatever annual percent you type—capped in the tool to discourage fantasy returns.
529 alias, same math
URLs such as /529-savings-calculator redirect to the college savings worksheet. The arithmetic is identical; plan rules are not modeled.
Read next
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau materials on saving for college are a better next step than any single calculator for account choice questions.