Education Fund Projection
Calculator
Results
- Projected total cost
- $135,974.51
- Final balance
- $86,616.54
- Shortfall
- $49,357.98
- Share of the cost covered (%)
- 63.700568%
Portfolio value over time
- Portfolio balance
- Money put in
Projection schedule
| 1 | 12,200.00 | 558.77 | 558.77 | 12,758.77 |
| 2 | 16,400.00 | 827.20 | 1,385.98 | 17,785.98 |
| 3 | 20,600.00 | 1,110.78 | 2,496.75 | 23,096.75 |
| 4 | 24,800.00 | 1,410.35 | 3,907.10 | 28,707.10 |
| 5 | 29,000.00 | 1,726.82 | 5,633.92 | 34,633.92 |
| 6 | 33,200.00 | 2,061.13 | 7,695.05 | 40,895.05 |
| 7 | 37,400.00 | 2,414.31 | 10,109.36 | 47,509.36 |
| 8 | 41,600.00 | 2,787.41 | 12,896.78 | 54,496.78 |
| 9 | 45,800.00 | 3,181.56 | 16,078.33 | 61,878.33 |
| 10 | 50,000.00 | 3,597.93 | 19,676.27 | 69,676.27 |
| 11 | 54,200.00 | 4,037.80 | 23,714.06 | 77,914.06 |
| 12 | 58,400.00 | 4,502.47 | 28,216.54 | 86,616.54 |
Comparison
| Scenario | Final balance | Total contributed |
|---|---|---|
| Doing nothing | 58,400.00 | 58,400.00 |
| Your plan | 86,616.54 | 58,400.00 |
Formula
cost = Σ C₀(1+c)^(k+s); fund = FV of PV plus monthly PMT= 135974.51
Note
Returns are not guaranteed and this is not investment advice. This projection applies the displayed standard formula to the rates you entered and assumes they repeat, unchanged, every single period. Real markets do not behave that way: returns vary year to year, can be negative, and past or projected performance never guarantees future results. The model ignores taxes, trading costs, currency effects and any fee you did not enter. Treat the figures as an illustration of the arithmetic, not a forecast, and consult a licensed adviser before acting on any of them.
More in Portfolio growth
See all →Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I start this projection for it to be useful?+
Starting as early as possible matters more here than for most goals, because education costs are typically needed on a fixed, known timeline (when the child reaches college age), leaving no flexibility to simply wait out a market downturn the way a retirement fund might.
Why does this calculator usually ask for a cost inflation rate separate from general inflation?+
Education costs, particularly tuition, have historically risen faster than general consumer inflation in many countries, so using a generic inflation rate can significantly understate the actual future cost — a dedicated, typically higher, education cost inflation rate produces a more realistic target.
Does the projection account for the fund needing to shift to lower-risk assets as the goal approaches?+
Not unless it explicitly models a glide path — many education savings strategies gradually shift from growth-oriented investments to more conservative ones as the start date approaches, to avoid a market downturn right before the money is needed. Check whether the calculator's return assumption reflects this shift or holds a constant rate throughout.
What if the actual cost ends up being for a less expensive option than assumed, like an in-state or two-year program?+
Any shortfall between the fund's target and what's actually needed simply becomes a surplus, which is a much better problem to have than a shortfall — many families intentionally target a somewhat conservative or flexible cost assumption for this reason.
Should I include financial aid or scholarships in this projection?+
Generally no, since these are uncertain until much closer to enrollment — most projections are more useful when built around the full estimated cost, treating any aid received later as a reduction to the amount actually needed to be withdrawn from the fund, not as an assumption baked into the target.