Project total college cost after annual price increases and estimate a monthly saving amount for the target.
Monthly end-of-period contributions. Net annual factor = (1 + gross return) × (1 − annual fee). Inflation discounts the ending balance. Taxes and variable market returns are not modelled.
| Year | Balance | Invested | Gain / loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000.00 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 |
| 1 | $13,734.39 | $13,000.00 | $734.39 |
| 2 | $17,710.20 | $16,000.00 | $1,710.20 |
| 3 | $21,943.06 | $19,000.00 | $2,943.06 |
| 4 | $26,449.56 | $22,000.00 | $4,449.56 |
| 5 | $31,247.42 | $25,000.00 | $6,247.42 |
| 6 | $36,355.45 | $28,000.00 | $8,355.45 |
| 7 | $41,793.72 | $31,000.00 | $10,793.72 |
| 8 | $47,583.57 | $34,000.00 | $13,583.57 |
| 9 | $53,747.74 | $37,000.00 | $16,747.74 |
| 10 | $60,310.42 | $40,000.00 | $20,310.42 |
Method: This model combines an initial balance with end-of-month contributions. It reduces the gross annual growth factor by an annual asset fee, then converts the net factor to a monthly rate. The ending balance is discounted by inflation to show purchasing power.
Inputs used: Currency = USD; Starting investment = 10,000; Monthly contribution = 250; Investment horizon = 10 years; Gross annual return = 7 %; Annual asset fee = 0.5 %; Annual inflation = 2.5 %
Assumptions: The result uses the values, units and options shown in the input snapshot.
Scope and warnings: Monthly end-of-period contributions. Net annual factor = (1 + gross return) × (1 − annual fee). Inflation discounts the ending balance. Taxes and variable market returns are not modelled. Rounding and excluded real-world terms can make an external result differ.
Investor.gov financial tools · As stated by the source · effective As published · reviewed 2026-09-12
medium confidence · Deterministic calculation
Linked as a method or contextual reference; calculator inputs remain visible and editable where applicable.
Exclusions: Source applicability and any jurisdictional limits remain those stated by the publisher.
Each academic year’s cost grows by the entered inflation assumption. Existing savings grow at the entered return, and the required monthly saving is solved from the remaining future cost.
A $25,000 first-year cost rising 4% annually over four years produces a larger total than multiplying the first year by four.
No. Scholarships, grants, tax credits, aid formulas, borrowing and enrollment changes are excluded.
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