How Much to Save Monthly for College

To cover a public four-year college costing about $113,000 in 12 years (starting from $5,000 saved, assuming 6% investment return and 5% tuition inflation), you need to invest roughly $530 per month. Your total contributions would be about $71,000 and investment growth supplies the rest. Private college costs far more, so the required monthly amount rises accordingly. A younger start, higher return assumption, or larger current savings all lower the monthly requirement; a shorter timeline or faster tuition inflation raises it. Treat every input as an assumption, not a promise.