Top 10 direct-sold 529 plans: Q4 2017

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Savingforcollege.com Editorial Team
Top ten direct-sold plans

*Three-year performance rankings as of 12/31/2017

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 three 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. 

One-year rankings 

Five-year rankings 

10-year rankings 

New York: New York’s 529 College Savings Program - Direct Plan

10. New York: New York’s 529 College Savings Program – Direct Plan 

Performance score: 33.97 

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

Program manager: Ascensus College Savings 

Nevada: USAA 529 College Savings Plan

9. Nevada: USAA 529 College Savings Plan 

Performance score: 33.92 

Available to: U.S. citizens and resident aliens, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and trusts. 

Program manager: Ascensus College Savings 

Wisconsin: Edvest

 8. Wisconsin: Edvest 

Performance score: 32.32 

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

Program managers: TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. 

 

Maine: NextGen College Investing Plan -- Client Direct Series

7. Maine: NextGen College Investing Plan – Client Direct Series 

Performance score: 32.30 

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

Program manager: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated 

 

Nevada: The Vanguard 529 Savings Plan

6. Nevada: The Vanguard 529 Savings Plan 

Performance score: 32.00 

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

Program manager: Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc. 

Alaska: University of Alaska College Savings Plan

 4. Alaska: University of Alaska College Savings Plan 

Performance score: 30.29 

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. 

Alaska: T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan

4. Alaska: T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan 

Performance score: 30.29 

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. 

West Virginia: SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan

 

3. West Virginia: SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan 

Performance score: 27.70 

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

Program manager: Hartford Life Insurance Company

California: The ScholarShare College Savings Plan

2. California: The ScholarShare College Savings Plan 

Performance score: 21.61 

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

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

Ohio: Ohio CollegeAdvantage Direct 529 Savings Program

1. Ohio: Ohio CollegeAdvantage Direct 529 Savings Program 

Performance score: 21.40 

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

Program managers: Ohio Tuition Trust Authority 

A good place to start:

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