College Savings Inflation Calculator
College costs have historically risen faster than general inflation. Plan ahead.
Enter Your Values
Your Results
Today's Value
$100,000
Future Buying Power
$58,739
Value Lost
$41,261
You'll Need
$170,243
At 3% inflation, your $100,000 will only buy $58,739 worth of goods in 18 years — a 41.3% loss in purchasing power. You'll need $170,243 to match today's buying power.
Purchasing Power Over Time
Show Yearly Breakdown
| Year | Buying Power | Value Lost | % Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $97,087 | $2,913 | 97.1% |
| 2 | $94,260 | $5,740 | 94.3% |
| 3 | $91,514 | $8,486 | 91.5% |
| 4 | $88,849 | $11,151 | 88.8% |
| 5 | $86,261 | $13,739 | 86.3% |
| 6 | $83,748 | $16,252 | 83.7% |
| 7 | $81,309 | $18,691 | 81.3% |
| 8 | $78,941 | $21,059 | 78.9% |
| 9 | $76,642 | $23,358 | 76.6% |
| 10 | $74,409 | $25,591 | 74.4% |
| 11 | $72,242 | $27,758 | 72.2% |
| 12 | $70,138 | $29,862 | 70.1% |
| 13 | $68,095 | $31,905 | 68.1% |
| 14 | $66,112 | $33,888 | 66.1% |
| 15 | $64,186 | $35,814 | 64.2% |
| 16 | $62,317 | $37,683 | 62.3% |
| 17 | $60,502 | $39,498 | 60.5% |
| 18 | $58,739 | $41,261 | 58.7% |
About This Calculator
College tuition inflation has averaged about 5-8% annually — significantly higher than general inflation. If a 4-year degree costs $100,000 today, at 6% education inflation it could cost over $285,000 in 18 years. Starting a 529 plan early is one of the best ways to combat rising education costs through tax-advantaged compound growth.
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