529 Plan Comparison Calculator
High income often means no state 529 tax deduction. Compare top plans based on fees, investment options, and projected growth—not state benefits you can't use anyway.
Child & Savings Info
Age-based plans automatically shift conservative as college approaches
Investment Summary
Years Until College
18 years
Total Contributions
$118,000
Utah my529 *
Vanguard funds + Full customization + No minimum
Projected Balance
$298,432
Total Fees Over Time
$2,847
* Why Utah?
California's 0.08% index fund is slightly cheaper, but the ~$20/year premium gets you Vanguard's investor-owned structure, 10+ funds for custom portfolios, and 18 years as Morningstar's #1. That said, California ScholarShare is also excellent for set-and-forget investors.
All Plans Compared
| Plan | Fee Range Plans offer multiple funds. Low = index funds. High = active funds. We use the low fee for projections. | Balance | Fees Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah my529 Vanguard | 0.10% -0.19% | $0 | $0 |
| Nevada Vanguard 529 Vanguard | 0.13% -0.16% | $0 | $0 |
| New York 529 Direct Plan Vanguard | 0.12% -0.17% | $0 | $0 |
| California ScholarShare 529 TIAA | 0.08% -0.45% | $0 | $0 |
| Illinois Bright Start Union Bank & Trust | 0.11% -0.38% | $0 | $0 |
* Projections use the lowest fee (index fund options). Choose passive index funds to achieve these rates.
Why Plan Choice Matters
The same contributions invested over the same period can yield vastly different results based on fees alone.
Utah my529, Nevada Vanguard, NY Direct
Many state plans with mixed active/passive options
Sold through financial advisors with sales loads
Your potential savings: $15,585 by choosing a top-rated direct-sold plan
* Projections assume consistent returns and contributions. Actual market performance will vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Why Fees Matter So Much
A seemingly small 0.50% fee difference can cost $15,000+ over 18 years on a moderately-funded 529.
Advisor-sold plans often charge 0.80-1.20% annually. Direct-sold plans (like Utah my529) charge 0.10-0.20%.
The math is simple: Every dollar paid in fees is a dollar not growing tax-free for your child's education.
Age-Based vs. Static Portfolios
Age-based (recommended): Automatically shifts from aggressive to conservative as your child approaches college. Set it and forget it.
Static portfolios: You choose and maintain the allocation yourself. More control, more work, more risk of timing mistakes.
For most parents, age-based portfolios with low-cost index funds are the optimal choice.
Why High Earners Should Ignore Their State's Plan
Many states phase out 529 deductions for high earners. New Jersey's deduction phases out above $200K AGI. California offers no deduction at all. If you get no state benefit, choose any state's plan based purely on fees and investment options.
Read our complete 529 guide for high earnersSECURE 2.0: 529-to-Roth Rollover
Starting 2024, unused 529 funds can roll into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary—up to $35,000 lifetime. The 529 must be open 15+ years. This makes overfunding less risky: if your child gets scholarships, they can still convert to tax-free retirement savings.