Best 529 plans of 2022

The manager for the Alabama CollegeCounts 529 Fund direct-sold savings program changed from Van Kampen to Union Bank and Trust Company in August 2010. It features age-based, static and individual fund portfolio options using mutual funds from multiple fund firms.

T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan, the nationally-branded version of Alaska's direct-sold 529 savings program mirrors the University of Alaska College Savings Plan but lacks the ACT Portfolio found in the UA program. The enrollment-based and static portfolios available in this program utilize T. Rowe Price mutual funds.

The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan, offered by Nevada, is available to residents of any state, and offers low costs, experience and easy-to-manage savings options.

New York's direct-sold 529 college savings plan is available to residents of any state. It offers low fees and diverse investment options featuring Vanguard mutual funds. New York residents may enjoy a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan.

The investment menu in Ohio's 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage, features 2 age-based options and 5 risk-based options using Vanguard funds, 13 static investment options using Vanguard and DFA funds, and 2 types of FDIC-insured deposit accounts through Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

In September 2008, Upromise Investments, Inc., which was acquired by Ascensus College Savings in 2013, took over the management of the Indiana CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan from JPMorgan, and it now features a year of enrollment option, eight individual portfolios using a variety of investment managers, and an FDIC-insured savings account from NexBank. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise Rewards service.

New York's direct-sold 529 college savings plan is available to residents of any state. It offers low fees and diverse investment options featuring Vanguard mutual funds. New York residents may enjoy a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan.

The CollegeBound Saver program is Rhode Island's direct-sold plan open to Rhode Island residents and non-residents. It features a menu of age-based and static portfolio options utilizing Invesco, Vanguard, Schwab and BlackRock mutual funds along with a stable value option. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

Union Bank & Trust Company succeeded Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. as program manager of the Bright Start College Savings Program in July 2017. The Illinois direct-sold Plan features three age-based options using either a multi-firm or index-based strategy, three target portfolios, three index target portfolios, individual fund portfolios from a number of fund families and an FDIC-insured option.

New York's direct-sold 529 college savings plan is available to residents of any state. It offers low fees and diverse investment options featuring Vanguard mutual funds. New York residents may enjoy a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan.

The START Saving Program requires Louisiana residency to participate. It is subsidized by the state, resulting in no costs to the participant above the underlying fund costs. Vanguard funds and the State Treasurer's fixed income fund are utilized in the age-based and static portfolio options. Louisiana has established a separate program for K-12 savings, the Louisiana Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve Program, or START K12.

The Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan is only available to residents of South Carolina. It offers investment options from Columbia and Vanguard and a $426,000 contribution limit. Residents of South Carolina may enjoy a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan.

The Georgia Path2College 529 Plan, a TIAA-managed 529 savings program, features a year of enrollment track with 10 portfolios and six static investment options including a Principal Plus Interest Portfolio with a minimum effective annual interest rate between 1% and 3%.

The Florida 529 Savings Plan is administered by the Florida Prepaid College Board. In September 2019 the Board enhanced the plan with expanded investment options, reduced fees, and additional investment managers. The plan offers an age-based option with a 16 step glidepath, six static options, and 15 individual funds.

In September 2008, Upromise Investments, Inc., which was acquired by Ascensus College Savings in 2013, took over the management of the Indiana CollegeChoice 529 Direct Savings Plan from JPMorgan, and it now features a year of enrollment option, eight individual portfolios using a variety of investment managers, and an FDIC-insured savings account from NexBank. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise Rewards service.

The West Virginia SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan, available on a direct basis to those who meet certain West Virginia residency requirements, features a menu of age-based and static portfolio options utilizing index funds from Vanguard as well as an Invesco stable value portfolio option. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

The Vanguard 529 College Savings Plan, offered by Nevada, is available to residents of any state, and offers low costs, experience and easy-to-manage savings options.

Nebraska Education Savings Trust -- Direct College Savings Plan switched program managers in December 2010 from Union Bank and Trust Company of Lincoln, Nebraska to First National Bank of Omaha. Management of the plan returned to Union Bank and Trust in 2020. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan, the nationally-branded version of Alaska's direct-sold 529 savings program mirrors the University of Alaska College Savings Plan but lacks the ACT Portfolio found in the UA program. The enrollment-based and static portfolios available in this program utilize T. Rowe Price mutual funds.