529 Plans by State: Benefits of a College Savings Plan
Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.
A 529 college savings account can be a strategic, tax-advantaged way to save for college — and these accounts have only gotten more appealing and flexible in recent years.
Types of 529 plans
A 529 is a tax-advantaged college savings account that can be used to pay for a beneficiary’s qualified education expenses, such as tuition or textbooks. While it was originally limited to higher education, the funds can now be used for kindergarten through grade 12 as well as certified apprenticeship programs and qualified student loan repayments, up to a limit.
There are two main types of 529 plans:
529 college savings plans are the most common type and generally considered the best and most flexible 529 option. Investments grow tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free for educational expenses such as tuition, room and board, and required textbooks.
529 prepaid plans let you prepay part or all of an in-state public tuition, locking in the tuition at time of payment.
529 plan benefits
There are a number of benefits to saving for college in a 529 account, especially when compared with a standard savings account or investment account:
529 asset ownership: The money you save in a 529 plan is considered your own asset, rather than an asset of the beneficiary. This arrangement is preferred when it comes to financial aid formulas.
Tax-deductible contributions: As you can see on the list below, many states offer a state tax deduction for contributing to a 529 plan. This means that in some states, you may be able to deduct 529 contributions — often up to a limit — from income, potentially reducing your state tax burden.
Tax-advantaged investment growth: The money you earn by investing your contributions grows tax-deferred, which means it isn't subject to capital gains taxes on an annual basis. And when you use distributions to pay for qualified education expenses, they are tax-free. This means you may never pay taxes on the investment earnings in the account. (However, if you need to take a distribution for a nonqualified expense, you may owe income taxes and 10% penalty on the earnings.)
Somewhat flexible: You can change the beneficiary on your 529 account, which means if one child decides not to go to college or use the funds for a qualifying expense, you could redirect the funds to another family member. In December 2022, the Secure 2.0 Act added additional flexibility beyond that: Once a 529 account has been open for 15 years, beneficiaries can roll up to $35,000 from the account into their Roth IRA. This is a lifetime limit, but the rollovers count toward Roth IRA annual contribution limits.
» Dive deeper: Read more on 529 plan rules
How do I find the best 529 plan?
The best 529 plan for you is going to depend on your investment goals and the state where you live, because these plans can vary widely by state (as can the associated tax benefits for 529 contributions). Start by looking at your state’s plans. Unlike retirement and other investment accounts, 529 savings plans are typically operated by states, which makes searching for the best option fairly easy. If your state offers a tax deduction for contributing, you’ll likely get the most bang for your buck by contributing to its plan.
Looking to save a little money? Consider direct-sold 529 plans, which are sold by the state, rather than through an advisor. Cutting out the middleman, so to speak, often results in lower fees. Just know that you'll be responsible for managing your investment.
You don't have to contribute to your state’s plan, though. You’re free to choose any plan you’d like, so it’s worth comparing your options. Plus, some states offer more than one 529 plan to consider.
Get matched with a financial advisor in minutes through NerdWallet Advisors Match
on NerdWallet Advisors Match
529 plans by state
You can find detailed information about each state's 529 plan below, including the minimum contribution you'll have to make to start an account. We also have a list of 529 contribution limits by state.
State | Plan Name | Tax benefit for in-state contributors? | Minimum contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | Yes | $0 | |
Alaska | No | $25 | |
Arizona | Yes | $15 or less | |
Arkansas | Yes | $25 | |
California | No | $0 | |
Colorado | Yes | $0-$25 depending on plan | |
Connecticut | Yes | $0 | |
Delaware | Yes | $0 | |
District of Columbia | Yes | $25 | |
Florida | No | $0 | |
Georgia | Yes | $0 | |
Hawaii | No | $15 | |
Idaho | Yes | $25 | |
Illinois | Yes | $0 | |
Indiana | Yes | $10 | |
Iowa | Yes | $25 | |
Kansas | Yes | $0 | |
Kentucky | No | $0 | |
Louisiana | Yes | $10 | |
Maine | Yes | $25 | |
Maryland | Yes | $25 | |
Massachusetts | Yes | $0 | |
Michigan | Yes | $25 | |
Minnesota | Yes | $25 | |
Mississippi | Yes | $25 | |
Missouri | Yes | $0 | |
Montana | Yes | $25 | |
Nebraska | Yes | $0 | |
Nevada | No | Depends on plan | |
New Hampshire | No | $0 | |
New Jersey | Yes | $25 | |
New Mexico | Yes | $1 | |
New York | Yes | $0 | |
North Carolina | No | $25 | |
North Dakota | Yes | $25 | |
Ohio | Yes | $25 | |
Oklahoma | Yes | $25 | |
Oregon | Yes | $25 | |
Pennsylvania | Yes | $0 | |
Rhode Island | Yes | $0 | |
South Carolina | Yes | $0 | |
South Dakota | No | $250 | |
Tennessee | No | $25 | |
Texas | No | $25 | |
Utah | Yes | $0 | |
Vermont | Yes | $25 | |
Virginia | Yes | $10 | |
Washington | No | $25 | |
West Virginia | Yes | $0 | |
Wisconsin | Yes | $25 | |
Wyoming | No plan available. |
Table updated as of July 11, 2024.
Prepaid 529 plans by state
This table shows only prepaid plans. Note that the minimum contributions required depend on the cost of a credit or the monthly payment plan. You'll need to check the specific plan for the correct minimum.
State | Plan Name | Tax benefit for in-state contributors? |
|---|---|---|
Florida | No | |
Massachusetts | Yes | |
Michigan | Yes | |
Mississippi | Yes | |
Nevada | No | |
Texas | No | |
Washington | No |
Table updated as of July 11, 2024.
» Looking for other ways to pass money to your kids? Learn about trusts
On a similar note...
