College Tuition Cost Projection
Tuition × (1 + inflation)^years. Plan ahead; tuition has historically risen 5-7%/yr.
Result
Total 4-year cost
$175,518
Year 1 (11 yr from now): $40,722.
- Current tuition$25,000
- Inflation5.00%/yr
- Years until10
- Year 1 tuition$40,722
- Total$175,518
- Year 11$40,722
- Year 12$42,758
- Year 13$44,896
- Year 14$47,141
Step-by-step
- Year 1 = 25000 × (1 + 0.05)^10 = $40,722.
- Sum over 4 years compounding at 5.0%: $175,518.
How to use this calculator
- Enter current tuition.
- Pick inflation rate (5-7% historic; 3-4% recent).
- Years until enrollment + duration.
About this calculator
Tuition has historically risen 5-7% per year (much faster than general inflation). A $25k/year college today, projected 10 years out at 5% inflation: ~$40k year 1, total 4-year ~$170k. Plus room and board, books, fees adds ~50%. 529 plans + Coverdell ESA grow tax-free for education. Start saving early — even $100/month from birth at 7% returns ~$50k by college age.
Frequently asked
1990-2020: 5-7%. 2020-2024: ~3-4% (rate slowed). Conservative future: 4%.
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