Top ten direct-sold plans

http://www.savingforcollege.com/articles/top-ten-direct-sold-plans-940

*Three-year performance rankings as of 3/31/16

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 performing 529 plans. The following slideshow features our most recent top ten 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. Remember that you can open a 529 plan from almost any state, regardless of where you live!

Click here to see rankings that include plans sold through brokers and fee-based financial planners.

One-year rankings
Five-year rankings

10. Michigan: Michigan Education Savings Program

• Performance score: 33.35
• Available to U.S. citizens and resident aliens, UGMA/UTMA custodians, estates, trusts, 501(c)(3) organizations, corporations, and state or local government agencies and instrumentalities.
• Program managers: TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc.
• Plan Details

9. South Carolina: Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan (Direct-Sold)

• Performance score: 33.05
• Available to U.S. citizens and resident aliens and UGMA/UTMA custodians. The Treasurer and Program Manager may permit other persons and legal entities to open accounts, however the account owner or beneficiary must be a resident of South Carolina, or an employee of the State of South Carolina, at the time of program enrollment.
• Program manager: Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
• Enroll Now

8. Louisiana: START Saving Program

• Performance score: 32.73
• Available to U.S. citizens and resident aliens at least 18 years old, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and legal entities. The account owner or beneficiary must be a Louisiana resident at the time of program enrollment.
• Program manager: Louisiana State Treasurer
• Plan Details

7. Alaska: University of Alaska College Savings Plan

• Performance score: 31.72
• Available to U.S. residents of legal age, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and legal entities organized in the U.S.
• Program manager: T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
• Enroll Now

6. Florida: Florida 529 Savings Plan

• Performance score: 29.63
• Available to U.S. citizens and resident aliens at least 18 years old, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and legal entities organized in the U.S.
• Program manager: Florida Prepaid College Board
• Plan Details

5. Tennessee: TNStars College Savings 529 Program

• Performance score: 28.22
• Available to U.S. citizens and legal residents at least 18 years old, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and legal entities.
• Program manager: State of Tennessee Treasury Department
• Plan Details

4. California: The ScholarShare College Savings Plan

• Performance score: 27.69
• 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)
• Plan Details

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

• Performance score: 26.94
• 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
• Enroll Now

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

• Performance score: 24.86
• Available to U.S. citizens and resident aliens including minors, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and legal entities.
• Program manager: Ascensus College Savings
• Enroll Now

1. District of Columbia: DC 529 College Savings Program (Direct-sold)

• Performance score: 14.41
• Available to U.S. citizens and resident aliens of legal age, UGMA/UTMA custodians, and legal entities, however the account owner must be a District of Columbia resident at the time of enrollment or work for a firm with over 300 employees that has payroll deduction for the DC College Savings Plan.
• Program manager: Calvert Investment Management, Inc.
• Enroll Now