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Top 10 Direct-Sold 529 Plans

Written by Saving For College Editorial Team | Updated October 11, 2021

 
 

*3-year performance rankings as of 9/30/2019

The highly anticipated Savingforcollege.com direct-sold 529 plan rankings are here! 

529 plans are generally made up of mutual funds with varying investment options. Each quarter, after analyzing data from thousands of underlying investment portfolios, Savingforcollege.com determines the overall top 10 direct-sold 529 plans 529 plans, based on historical performance. The following slideshow features our most recent top 10 list of the plans that can be purchased directly through the plan manager (without having to go through a financial advisor). 

The “performance score” determines the ranking

The rankings shown in the slideshow are based on performance over the last 3 years, giving you a better idea of how the plans fared over time. Note that past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Remember that you can open a 529 plan from almost any state, regardless of where you live. Premium subscribers can view the full list of rankings that includes plans sold through brokers and fee-based financial planners. 

1-year rankings 

5-year rankings 

10-year rankings 

 
 
 

 

Alaska

9. Alaska – T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan (TIE)

Performance score: 32.93

Available to: U.S. citizens of legal age, UGMA/UTMA custodians and legal entities organized in the U.S.

Program manager: T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. 

 

 
 
Alaska

9. Alaska529 (TIE)

Performance score: 32.93 

Available to: U.S. resident individuals of legal age, UGMA/UTMA custodians and legal entities organized in the U.S. 

Program manager: T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

 

 

 

California

8. California – Scholarshare

Performance score: 32.45

Available to: U.S. citizens and resident aliens at least 18 years old, emancipated minors, UGMA/UTMA custodians and legal entities

Program managers: TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI)

 

 
 
Wisconsin

7. Wisconsin – Edvest

Performance score: 32.09

Available to: U.S. citizens and resident aliens of legal age, and UGMA/UTMA custodians and legal entities

Program manager: TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI)

 

 
 
 
 
 
Massachusetts
 

6. Massachusetts – U.Fund College Investing Plan

Performance score: 31.29

Available to: U.S. citizens and resident aliens at least 18 years old, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and trusts

Program manager: Fidelity Investments

 

 
 
 
New Hampshire

5. New Hampshire – UNIQUE College Investing Plan 

Performance score: 31.13

Available to: U.S. citizens and resident aliens at least 18 years old, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and trusts

Program manager: Fidelity Investments

 

 
 

 

 

 

Arizona

4. Fidelity Arizona College Savings Plan 

Performance score: 31.09

Available to: U.S. citizens and resident aliens at least 18 years old, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and legal entities

Program manager: Fidelity Investments

 

 
 
 
Delaware

3. Delaware College Investment Plan

Performance score: 31.07

Available to: U.S. citizens and resident aliens at least 18 years old, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and legal entities.Program manager: Fidelity Investments

 

 
 
 
 
Ohio

2. Ohio’s 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage

Performance score: 31.03

Available to: U.S. citizens and resident aliens, UGMA/UTMA custodians, trusts and 501(c)(3) organizations

Program manager: Ohio Tuition Trust Authority

 

 
West Virginia

1. West Virginia – SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan 

Performance score: 30.39

Available to: U.S. citizens and resident aliens at least 18 years old, UGMA/UTMA custodians and legal entities

Program managers: Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC 

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About the author

The Savingforcollege.com Editorial Team consists of current and past contributors, including Mark Kantrowitz, Martha Kortiak Mert, Marc Suhr, and others listed on our Authors page. We have dozens of years of experience with 529 plans and college savings and have published hundreds of articles empowering families with the knowledge to save wisely for college.

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