How can I use a college planning calculator to estimate the cost of college?

A college planning calculator can help you estimate the cost of college by taking into account various factors such as tuition fees, room and board, textbooks, and other expenses. To use a college planning calculator, you'll typically need to input information about your child's age, grade level, and planned college start date, as well as your household income, savings, and other assets. You may also need to provide information about the colleges you're considering, including their estimated tuition and fees.

Once you've entered this information, the calculator will generate an estimate of how much it will cost to attend the colleges you're interested in. It may also provide you with information on financial aid and scholarships that your child may be eligible for, as well as estimates of how much you'll need to save each month to meet your college savings goals. You can use this information to help plan and prepare for the cost of college.