{{parent.cta_data.text}}
COLLEGE SAVINGS 101
These top colleges are worth the investment
http://www.savingforcollege.com/articles/these-top-colleges-are-worth-the-investment-1076
Posted: 2017-07-13
Which colleges give students the biggest bank for their buck? Money magazine recently released its 2017 list of best colleges for the price, based on educational quality, affordability and alumni success.
Many students who attend these schools receive need-based grants to help cover some of the costs, but even after financial aid some are still left paying over $17,000 a year for tuition. If you're considering one of these colleges for your child, you can start saving in a tax-advantaged 529 plan to help reduce the amount they'll have to borrow later.
Most 529 plans are state-sponsored, but that doesn't mean your limited to using your home state's plan. Some states do offer an additional breaks for residents, but that shouldn't be your only consideration for selecting a plan. You'll want to find the best combination of investments and low fees to suit your family's needs. Compare 529 plans here.
Here's a list of the 10 best value colleges, and some of the 529 plan options available.
#10 Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Estimated price with average grant: $17,000
Early career earnings: $65,000
529 plans:
U.Fund College Investing Plan Enroll Now
#9 University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Estimated price with average grant: $18,200
Early career earnings: $53,000
529 plans:
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan Plan Details
#8 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
Estimated price with average grant: $23,400
Early career earnings: $77,000
529 plans:
U.Fund College Investing Plan Enroll Now
Private College 529 Plan Details
#7 University of California - Irvine
Irvine, CA
Estimated price with average grant: $15,800
Early career earnings: $52,000
529 plans:
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan Plan Details
#5 (tie) Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Estimated price with average grant: $20,800
Early career earnings: $70,300
529 plans:
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan Plan Details
Private College 529 Plan Details
#5 (tie) University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Estimated price with average grant: $14,900
Early career earnings: $53,300
529 plans:
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan Plan Details
#4 University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Estimated price with average grant: $17,900
Early career earnings: $62,100
529 plans:
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan Plan Details
#3 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Estimated price with average grant: $17,000
Early career earnings: $61,200
529 plans:
Michigan Education Savings Program Plan Details
MI 529 Advisor Plan Find a 529 Pro
#2 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY
Estimated price with average grant: $9,800
Early career earnings: $51,600
529 plans:
New York's 529 College Savings Program — Direct Plan Enroll Now
New York's Advisor-Guided College Savings Plan Find a 529 Pro
#1 Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
Estimated price with average grant: $19,300
Early career earnings: $67,600
529 plans:
NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan Enroll Now
Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan Find a 529 Pro
Private College 529 Plan Details
Which colleges give students the biggest bank for their buck? Money magazine recently released its 2017 list of best colleges for the price, based on educational quality, affordability and alumni success.
Many students who attend these schools receive need-based grants to help cover some of the costs, but even after financial aid some are still left paying over $17,000 a year for tuition. If you're considering one of these colleges for your child, you can start saving in a tax-advantaged 529 plan to help reduce the amount they'll have to borrow later.
Most 529 plans are state-sponsored, but that doesn't mean your limited to using your home state's plan. Some states do offer an additional breaks for residents, but that shouldn't be your only consideration for selecting a plan. You'll want to find the best combination of investments and low fees to suit your family's needs. Compare 529 plans here.
Here's a list of the 10 best value colleges, and some of the 529 plan options available.
#10 Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Estimated price with average grant: $17,000
Early career earnings: $65,000
529 plans:
U.Fund College Investing Plan Enroll Now
#9 University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Estimated price with average grant: $18,200
Early career earnings: $53,000
529 plans:
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan Plan Details
#8 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
Estimated price with average grant: $23,400
Early career earnings: $77,000
529 plans:
U.Fund College Investing Plan Enroll Now
Private College 529 Plan Details
#7 University of California - Irvine
Irvine, CA
Estimated price with average grant: $15,800
Early career earnings: $52,000
529 plans:
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan Plan Details
#5 (tie) Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Estimated price with average grant: $20,800
Early career earnings: $70,300
529 plans:
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan Plan Details
Private College 529 Plan Details
#5 (tie) University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
Estimated price with average grant: $14,900
Early career earnings: $53,300
529 plans:
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan Plan Details
#4 University of California - Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Estimated price with average grant: $17,900
Early career earnings: $62,100
529 plans:
The ScholarShare College Savings Plan Plan Details
#3 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI
Estimated price with average grant: $17,000
Early career earnings: $61,200
529 plans:
Michigan Education Savings Program Plan Details
MI 529 Advisor Plan Find a 529 Pro
#2 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY
Estimated price with average grant: $9,800
Early career earnings: $51,600
529 plans:
New York's 529 College Savings Program — Direct Plan Enroll Now
New York's Advisor-Guided College Savings Plan Find a 529 Pro
#1 Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
Estimated price with average grant: $19,300
Early career earnings: $67,600
529 plans:
NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan Enroll Now
Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan Find a 529 Pro
Private College 529 Plan Details
If you liked this post and think it would help others save for college, please share!
Recommended Articles
SPONSOR CONTENT
Financial Professionals
Top 529 College Savings Plans
One-year rankings are based on a plan's average investment returns over the last 12 months.
State | Plan Name | |
---|---|---|
1 | Nevada | USAA 529 Education Savings Plan |
2 | Florida | Florida 529 Savings Plan |
3 | New Jersey | NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan |
Three-year rankings are based on a plan's average annual investment returns over the last three years.
State | Plan Name | |
---|---|---|
1 | South Dakota | CollegeAccess 529 (Direct-sold) |
2 | Wisconsin | Edvest 529 |
3 | Nevada | USAA 529 Education Savings Plan |
Five-year rankings are based on a plan's average annual investment returns over the last five years
State | Plan Name | |
---|---|---|
1 | Indiana | CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan |
2 | Florida | Florida 529 Savings Plan |
3 | Alaska | T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan |
10-year rankings are based on a plan's average annual investment returns over the last ten years.
State | Plan Name | |
---|---|---|
1 | West Virginia | SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan |
2 | South Carolina | Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan (Direct-sold) |
3 | Ohio | Ohio's 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage |