# College Cost Calculator

> Estimate the future cost of college and determine if your current savings plan is on track.

Page: https://askcalculators.com/calculator/college-cost-calculator/
Definition: https://askcalculators.com/calculator/college-cost-calculator/definition.json
JSON Schema: https://askcalculators.com/calculator/college-cost-calculator/schema.json
Version: 7.0.0
Maintained by: AskCalculators (software project; not a credentialed reviewer)
Qualified review: pending. Automated checks do not establish professional approval.
Page status: Live
Review status: Pending

## Use
Open the calculator page and enter values. Query-string parameters can restore and bookmark a calculation.
Example: https://askcalculators.com/calculator/college-cost-calculator/?childAge=5&collegeAge=18&annualCost=25000&yearsInCollege=4&currentSavings=10000&monthlyContribution=500&returnRate=6&inflationRate=3

## Inputs
- childAge: Child's Current Age; type=number; optional; default=5
- collegeAge: College Start Age; type=number; optional; default=18
- annualCost: Annual Cost (Today); type=number; optional; default=25000
- yearsInCollege: Years in College; type=number; optional; default=4
- currentSavings: Current Savings; type=number; optional; default=10000
- monthlyContribution: Monthly Contribution; type=number; optional; default=500
- returnRate: Exp. Return; type=number; optional; default=6
- inflationRate: Inflation; type=number; optional; default=3

## Outputs
- result: Result; format=text; primary

## Formula
Future annual cost = current annual cost × (1 + education inflation)^years; projected total is the sum of each attendance year, less current savings growth.

## Rules
- Empty optional inputs are undefined, not zero.
- Hidden conditional inputs are ignored.
- Do not invent missing required inputs.