ProMoney · Simulator
529 College Savings Simulator
Will you have enough saved for college?
Assumptions
Projected balance
$99,516
Funded
66%
Gap
$50,484
| Year | Balance | Funded % |
|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | $17,784 | 12% |
| Year 6 | $33,083 | 22% |
| Year 9 | $51,390 | 34% |
| Year 12 | $73,299 | 49% |
| Year 15 | $99,516 | 66% |
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Built by The Crimson Bench · Educational model, not financial advice
About the 529 College Savings Simulator
Model monthly contributions growing until college to see your projected balance against the projected cost.
It's built for directional planning: change any assumption and watch the whole projection move, the way a seasoned operator pressure-tests a plan before committing capital. Everything is computed live in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.
How the 529 College Savings Simulator Works
The model takes 5 assumptions and returns 3 headline metrics plus a full breakdown. Here is exactly what goes in and what comes out — no black box.
The Inputs
| Assumption | Example value |
|---|---|
| Monthly contribution | $300 |
| Current savings | $5,000 |
| Annual return | 6% |
| Years to college | 15 |
| Projected total cost | $150,000 |
Worked Example
Every figure below is produced by the live model using the example assumptions above. Change any input in the simulator to see your own numbers.
Projected balance
$99,516
Funded
66%
Gap
$50,484
| Year | Balance | Funded % |
|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | $17,784 | 12% |
| Year 6 | $33,083 | 22% |
| Year 9 | $51,390 | 34% |
| Year 12 | $73,299 | 49% |
| Year 15 | $99,516 | 66% |
The Operator's Read
529 growth is tax-free for education — a powerful edge over a taxable account. Starting early matters most; the first years of compounding do the heaviest lifting toward the goal.
Assumptions & Limitations
- •The model is deterministic: it projects your inputs forward with clear arithmetic, not a Monte-Carlo or probabilistic forecast. It shows one scenario at a time — run several to bracket a range.
- •Defaults are illustrative benchmarks, not your business. Replace every field with your real numbers before drawing conclusions.
- •It abstracts away taxes, financing, seasonality, and one-off events unless a field explicitly captures them. Treat the output as a directional estimate.
- •This is an educational tool, not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Validate real decisions with a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 529 College Savings Simulator calculate?
Model monthly contributions growing until college to see your projected balance against the projected cost. It takes 5 assumptions — Monthly contribution, Current savings, Annual return, Years to college, Projected total cost — and returns Projected balance, Funded, Gap, along with a full projection table you can export.
How do I use the 529 College Savings Simulator?
Enter your own figures in the input fields above — Monthly contribution, Current savings, Annual return, and the rest. The model recalculates instantly and shows the resulting Projected balance and full breakdown. No sign-up needed to run it.
Is the 529 College Savings Simulator free?
Yes — you can run the simulator and see the headline results for free. Toolkit Pro unlocks the full projection table, Excel/PDF export, saved scenarios, and AI analysis: $180/mo, $1,728/yr, or unlock any 3 simulators for $20.
What's the difference between this and a free calculator?
A calculator answers one question. This simulator models the full picture — multiple linked assumptions, a projection table, and scenario comparison — the way an operator would build it in a spreadsheet, but instantly.
Who built the 529 College Savings Simulator?
The Crimson Bench's Ivy League-educated operators — the same people we deploy into C-suites. This is the self-serve version of a model they'd build inside a live engagement.
Is this financial advice?
No. The 529 College Savings Simulator is an educational modeling tool for directional planning — not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Validate any real decision with a qualified professional.
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The Crimson Bench · Est. 2002 · Founded in New York City
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