How much will college cost?
Use the calculator below to get an idea of how much you may need so you can set your goals accordingly.
Compare the cost
You can get an idea of how much to save based upon the current costs of college and adjusting for cost inflation. Using 2023 tuition, fees and living costs, Collegetuitioncompare.com compiles a national database of total costs for colleges and different types of schools by state. Their data sources include: IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and the OPE (U.S. Department of Education—Office of Postsecondary Education).
SOURCE: Collegetuitioncompare.com, 2023
Current college costs by state
| State | Tuition | Living Costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Public in-state | Public out-of-state | Private | On-campus | Off-campus |
| 162 Schools | $4,835 | $10,326 | $21,272 | $15,115 | $15,074 |
Relevant FAQs
If your child ends up not needing the funds for college, you always have multiple options for your money:
- You can leave the funds in the account as there is no age limit or expiration date. For example, the choice to go to school might be a delayed decision for the intended child.
- You can transfer the funds to another eligible beneficiary, such as another child, a grandchild or even yourself.
- Up to $10,000 annually can be used toward K-12 tuition (per student).1
- Your 529 can be used for student loan repayment up a $10,000 lifetime limit per individual.1
- If you need to withdraw the funds for any reason, you can at any time. Earnings on funds withdrawn for a purpose other than qualified higher education expenses are subject to federal and state income tax and a 10% additional federal tax (known as the “Additional Tax”). See the Plan Description for more information and exceptions.
Footnotes
- 1Withdrawals for tuition expenses at a public, private or religious elementary, middle, or high school and student loans can be withdrawn free from federal and Georgia income tax. If you are not a Georgia taxpayer, these withdrawals may include recapture of tax deduction, state income tax as well as penalties. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances.↩
Your account will remain unchanged if you move. You do not need to be a resident of Georgia to open, contribute to or use a Path2College 529 Plan account. Your Path2College 529 Plan can be used for a range of qualified expenses in-state, out-of-state and abroad. If you move to another state, you can keep your money invested and continue making contributions to your Path2College 529 Plan account.
No. Your Path2College 529 Plan funds can be used at any accredited university in the country—and even some abroad. This includes public and private colleges and universities, apprenticeships, community colleges, graduate schools and professional schools. Up to $10,000 annually can be used toward K-12 tuition (per student).1 Review a list of qualifying expenses and the state tax treatment of withdrawals for these expenses in the Plan Description.
Footnotes
- 1Withdrawals for tuition expenses at a public, private or religious elementary, middle, or high school and registered apprenticeship programs can be withdrawn free from federal and Georgia income tax. If you are not a Georgia taxpayer, these withdrawals may include recapture of tax deduction, state income tax as well as penalties. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances. Apprenticeship programs must be registered and certified with the Secretary of Labor under the National Apprenticeship Act.↩
Qualified higher education expenses include tuition, certain room and board expenses, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for the enrollment and attendance of the beneficiary at an eligible educational institution. This includes most postsecondary institutions. When used by the beneficiary enrolled at an eligible educational institution, computers and related technology such as internet access fees, software or printers are also considered qualified higher education expenses.
Qualified higher education expenses also include certain additional enrollment and attendance costs at eligible educational institutions for any beneficiary with special needs.
Qualified higher education expenses also include:
(a) tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at a primary or secondary public, private or religious K-12 school (up to a maximum of $10,000 of distributions per taxable year per beneficiary from all Section 529 programs);1 (b) expenses for fees, books, supplies and equipment required for the participation of a beneficiary in a certified apprenticeship program;1 and (c) amounts paid as principal or interest on any qualified education loan of either the beneficiary or a sibling of the beneficiary (up to a lifetime limit of $10,000 per individual).1 Review the Plan Description for additional information, including the state tax treatment of withdrawals for these expenses.
Footnotes
- 1Withdrawals for tuition expenses at a public, private or religious elementary, middle, or high school, registered apprenticeship programs, and student loans can be withdrawn free from federal and Georgia income tax. If you are not a Georgia taxpayer, these withdrawals may include recapture of tax deduction, state income tax as well as penalties. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances.↩
