Best 529 College Savings Plans of 2026
We ranked all 50 state 529 plans on expense ratios, investment quality, state tax deductions, and contribution minimums.
Quick Comparison
| # | Lender | Rating | Best Rate | Best For | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Utah my529Editor's Choice | 4.9 | 0.10% expense ratio | Lowest Fees | Open Account | |
| 2 | 4.7 | $10,000 MFJ deduction | NY Residents | Open Account | |
| 3 | 4.6 | 0.10% expense ratio | Non-Residents | Open Account | |
| 4 | 4.5 | 0.14% expense ratio | Vanguard Investors | Open Account | |
| 5 | 4.4 | $20,000 MFJ deduction | IL Residents | Open Account |
Best 529 Plans 2026: Quick Comparison
| Plan | Min Expense Ratio | Min to Open | State Tax Deduction | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah my529 | 0.10% | $0 | Utah residents only | Lowest Fees Nationwide |
| New York 529 (Vanguard) | 0.12% | $0 | $5,000 / $10,000 MFJ (NY) | NY Residents / Vanguard Fans |
| Ohio CollegeAdvantage | 0.10% | $0 | Ohio residents only | Non-Ohio Residents |
| Nevada Vanguard 529 | 0.14% | $3,000 | Nevada residents | Vanguard Index Investors |
| Illinois Bright Start | 0.11% | $0 | $10,000 / $20,000 MFJ (IL) | IL Residents Seeking Deduction |
Expense ratios and deduction limits current as of June 2026. State deductions apply only to residents filing in that state.
Utah my529
The lowest expense ratios of any 529 plan in the country
Utah my529 wins on fees for residents of every state except those with a deductible home-state plan. At 0.10% versus an industry average of 0.50%+, the compounding savings over 18 years are material. On a $200K balance, you save roughly $800 per year in fees compared to a 0.50% plan.
- Expense ratios of 0.10%–0.11% are the lowest available among all 50 state plans
- 130+ investment options including Vanguard, Fidelity, and DFA funds
- Available to residents of any state — you do not need to live in Utah
- State tax deduction available only to Utah residents
- 130+ options can be overwhelming without an age-based default selection
- No bonus contributions or matching programs for non-Utah residents
New York 529 (Vanguard)
Vanguard-managed index funds with a compelling state tax deduction
For New York residents, the $10,000 annual deduction (married filing jointly) combined with Vanguard expense ratios makes NY 529 the clear default. Non-NY residents should compare against Utah my529 — without the deduction, the fee difference is narrow and Utah's investment menu is broader.
- NY state deduction of $5,000 ($10,000 for married couples) on contributions
- Vanguard-managed index funds keep expenses exceptionally low
- No minimum to open — start with any amount
- Only 22 investment options compared to Utah's 130+
- State tax deduction only available to New York residents
- Non-NY residents miss the deduction and may be better served by Utah my529
Ohio CollegeAdvantage
Top-rated plan for non-Ohio residents seeking low fees and quality options
Ohio CollegeAdvantage consistently appears on best-plan lists because its expense ratios rival Utah's and it offers DFA funds not widely available in most state plans. For non-Ohio residents without a deductible home-state option, it belongs on the shortlist alongside Utah my529.
- Consistently ranked among the top plans for non-residents seeking low fees
- Vanguard and Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) options available
- No minimum initial contribution
- State deduction only for Ohio residents
- Smaller investment menu than Utah my529
- Limited differentiation from other top-tier plans for non-Ohio residents
Nevada Vanguard 529
Pure Vanguard index fund investing with no state income tax to consider
Nevada Vanguard 529 is a reliable plan with a proven investment lineup. The $3,000 minimum is the main barrier for new savers. For Vanguard devotees who want to stay entirely in that ecosystem, it works well — but Utah my529 also offers Vanguard funds at lower expense ratios without the minimum.
- Pure Vanguard index funds — the most trusted low-cost investment brand for DIY investors
- Nevada has no state income tax, so there is no home-state deduction tradeoff for Nevada residents
- Solid age-based portfolio options that auto-rebalance as college approaches
- $3,000 minimum opening balance is the highest on this list
- Expense ratios are slightly higher than Utah my529 despite similar Vanguard structure
- No compelling reason to choose Nevada over Utah for non-Nevada residents
Illinois Bright Start
Strong state tax deduction for Illinois residents with competitive fund options
Illinois Bright Start earns its rank primarily through the $20,000 annual deduction for married Illinois filers. At Illinois state income tax of 4.95%, that deduction is worth $990 per year in tax savings alone. Stick to the index fund options and avoid the actively managed funds with higher expense ratios.
- $20,000 annual deduction for Illinois married-filing-jointly filers is among the highest in the country
- No minimum to open — accessible for any contribution size
- Index fund options available at competitive expense ratios
- Expense ratios on actively managed options reach 0.51% — avoid those funds
- Only 17 investment options, the smallest menu on this list
- Non-Illinois residents lose the deduction and should choose Utah or Ohio instead
Methodology
How We Evaluate 529 PlansOur editorial team evaluates 529 plans across four weighted categories: expense ratios on index fund options (40%), investment menu quality and breadth (25%), state tax deduction value for residents (20%), and account minimums and usability (15%).
We analyze each plan's lowest-cost investment path — the expense ratio a cost-conscious investor can actually achieve — rather than the plan's average expense ratio, which includes high-cost options most investors should avoid. We update expense ratio data quarterly.
CalcMoney may receive compensation from partners when you click affiliate links. This does not influence our rankings or editorial content. Our recommendations are based on independent research. Results are estimates for informational purposes only. Consult a licensed financial professional before making investment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
529 Plan FAQ
Yes — 529 plans are not restricted to residents of the sponsoring state. You can open Utah my529 from Texas or Ohio CollegeAdvantage from California.
The key tradeoff: most states only offer a state income tax deduction for contributions to your home state's plan. If your home state offers a deduction, run the math — a $10,000 deduction at a 5% state tax rate is $500 per year in savings that partially offsets a higher expense ratio.
There is no annual contribution limit on 529 plans, but contributions are treated as gifts for tax purposes. Gifts over $19,000 per beneficiary per year (2026 annual exclusion) trigger gift tax reporting on Form 709.
Superfunding allows you to front-load five years of contributions at once — up to $95,000 per individual or $190,000 for married couples — without gift tax, as long as you make no additional gifts to that beneficiary during the five-year period.
You have several options. Roll unused funds to a Roth IRA: SECURE 2.
0 allows rolling up to $35,000 lifetime from a 529 to the beneficiary's Roth IRA, subject to annual Roth contribution limits and a 15-year account seasoning requirement. Change the beneficiary to another family member — siblings, cousins, even yourself.
Or use funds for K-12 tuition (up to $10,000 per year), apprenticeship programs, or student loan repayment (up to $10,000 lifetime). Non-qualified withdrawals face income tax plus a 10% penalty on earnings only.
SECURE 2. 0 created a new exit ramp: after the 529 account has been open for 15 years, you can roll up to $35,000 lifetime (subject to annual Roth IRA contribution limits) to the beneficiary's Roth IRA.
This turns unused education savings into tax-free retirement savings. The 15-year seasoning clock starts from the account's opening date, not from when contributions were made.
Age-based glide paths are the default for most families: aggressive equity allocation when the child is young, gradually shifting to bonds and stable value as college approaches. Most plan administrators offer these automatically.
If you prefer to customize, a rough rule is to hold 90%+ equities when college is 15+ years away and shift to 30–50% equities by age 14–15. Avoid holding 100% equities within 3 years of the first tuition payment — a bear market that close to need can permanently reduce purchasing power.