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Lowest fee 529 plans of 2021
These plans have the lowest total expense ratio based upon a moderate-risk age-based portfolio for a newborn. Some states have different fees for residents vs. non-residents. Non-resident expense ratios are always used, so please check with your state plan to see if they offer a resident discount.
NOTE: In some cases, a single program manager runs plans in multiple states with the same investment options. In these cases, only one of their plans will be shown.
plan name
state
rating
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Upromise rewards service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.12%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
11.58%
8.16%
10.15%
9.11%
Why we like this plan
- Residents allowed to deduct full contribution amount from WV state taxes
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.2%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
6.86%
6.26%
9.34%
10.35%
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Residents allowed to deduct full contribution amount from SC state taxes
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Low fees
- Large selection of investment options
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.5%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
5.71%
4.48%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Socially responsible investment portfolio
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.15%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
10.04%
7.34%
9.65%
9.06%
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Tax credit on contributions for residents
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.34%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
7.71%
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Tax deduction on contributions for residents
- CollegeBoundbaby grant for qualifying accounts
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.18%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.9%
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.13%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.79%
7.71%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Large selection of investment options
- Residents allowed to deduct full contribution amount from NM state taxes
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.2%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.57%
7.05%
9.43%
8.96%
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Large selection of investment options
- Large selection of investment options
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Large selection of age-based investment options
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.5%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
7.8%
6.43%
9.01%
9.09%
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Matching Grants for qualifying accounts
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.14%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.91%
7.19%
9.54%
8.98%
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Tax deduction on contributions for residents
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.2%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.59%
7.08%
9.47%
9.19%
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.43%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
7.34%
6.02%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of investment options
- Low fees
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of age-based investment options
- Tax deduction on contributions for residents
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.25%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
5.58%
5.43%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Large selection of investment options
- CHET Baby Scholars grant provides a match for qualifying accounts
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Large selection of investment options
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.21%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.16%
7.19%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of investment options
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Collegecounts 529 Rewards Visa Card earns you 1.529% on everyday purchases
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.42%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
6.44%
4.18%
7.25%
6.94%
Why we like this plan
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Low fees
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Low fees
- Tennessee Investments Preparing Scholars Program for qualifying accounts
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.26%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.34%
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.58%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.88%
7.62%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.58%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.86%
7.61%
10.96%
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Tuition-value guarantee for University of Alaska students invested in the ACT portfolio
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.92%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.48%
6.17%
8.54%
8.39%
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of investment options
- Upromise rewards service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.58%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.86%
7.61%
10.96%
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.74%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.09%
7.68%
9.88%
9.58%
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of investment options
- Matching Grant Program for qualifying KS residents
- Upromise rewards service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.92%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
11.35%
7.5%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of investment options
- Fidelity Investments 529 College Rewards American Express Card rebates 2% of purchases
- Low-cost index fund investment options
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.14%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
11.05%
8.02%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of investment options
- Tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Fidelity Investments 529 College Rewards American Express Card rebates 2% of purchases
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.14%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
10.97%
8%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of age-based investment options
- Account balances excluded for AZ state financial aid purposes
- Low-cost index fund investment options
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.92%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
11.33%
7.52%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of investment options
- Fidelity Investments 529 College Rewards American Express Card rebates 2% of purchases
- Low-cost index fund investment options
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Guaranteed rate of interest investment option
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.53%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
12.32%
8.14%
9.08%
8.33%
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of age-based investment options
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.32%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.84%
7.07%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of age-based investment options
- Low fees
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.36%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
11.09%
8.26%
10.5%
9.83%
Why we like this plan
- Large tax credit on contributions for residents
- Upromise rewards service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.39%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
7.66%
6.43%
8.63%
-
Why we like this plan
- Tax credit on contributions for residents
- Low fees
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Large selection of investment options
- Upromise rewards service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.23%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
8.81%
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Large selection of age-based investment options
- Upromise rewards and SAGE Scholars service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.41%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
4.95%
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of investment options
- FDIC-insured savings account option
- Upromise rewards service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.35%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
7.64%
6.91%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Socially responsible investment portfolios
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 1.06%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
4.66%
3.83%
8.43%
-
Why we like this plan
- USAA Distinguished Valor Matching Grant Program for qualifying accounts
- Upromise rewards service available
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Large selection of age-based investment options
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Large selection of age-based investment options
- Upromise rewards service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.32%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
10.67%
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Residents allowed to deduct full contribution amount from CO state taxes
- Matching Grant Program with a dollar-for-dollar match for qualifying CO residents
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.67%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
3.82%
3.52%
8.3%
8.89%
Why we like this plan
- Residents allowed to deduct full contribution amount from WV state taxes
- Upromise rewards service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Large selection of investment options
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Guaranteed investment option with minimum rate of return
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.94%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
7.79%
5.49%
9.32%
8.53%
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of age-based investment options
- Protection from creditors
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.49%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.65%
6.84%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of investment options
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Upromise rewards service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.49%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
9.45%
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large selection of age-based investment options
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Matching Grants for qualifying accounts
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Upromise rewards service available
- Waived account maintenance fee is beneficiary is MT resident
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.67%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
4.73%
5.07%
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Large tax deduction on contributions for residents
- Guaranteed investment option with minimum rate of return
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - 0.59%
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
8.96%
7.22%
9.11%
8.96%
Why we like this plan
- Strong long-term performance
- Upromise rewards service available
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
3 month yield:
N/A
6 month yield:
N/A
12 month yield:
1.25%
24 month yield:
1.45%
36 month yield:
1.55%
Why we like this plan
- CD investments for investors looking for guaranteed returns
- Large tax credit on contributions for residents
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
3 month yield:
N/A
6 month yield:
N/A
12 month yield:
1.25%
24 month yield:
1.45%
36 month yield:
1.55%
Why we like this plan
- CD investments for investors looking for guaranteed returns
- Tax deduction on contributions for residents
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
3 month yield:
N/A
6 month yield:
N/A
12 month yield:
N/A
24 month yield:
N/A
36 month yield:
N/A
Why we like this plan
- FDIC-Insured Money Market and 1-year CD options
- Residents allowed to deduct full contribution amount from CO state taxes
- Matching Grant Program with a dollar-for-dollar match for qualifying CO residents
Our rating for residents
Our rating for non-residents
Fees - N/A
Performance
1-YR
3-YR
5-YR
10-YR
-
-
-
-
Why we like this plan
- Guaranteed investment option with minimum rate of return
- Residents allowed to deduct full contribution amount from CO state taxes
- Matching Grant Program with a dollar-for-dollar match for qualifying CO residents