How does a college planning calculator factor in inflation and future college costs?

A college planning calculator typically factors in inflation and future college costs by projecting the estimated cost of attendance based on the current cost of attendance and estimated inflation rates. The calculator may use historical inflation rates or future projected rates to estimate the cost of attendance in future years. Some calculators may also allow users to adjust the inflation rate to reflect their own assumptions or to account for changes in the cost of attendance at a specific college or university. Additionally, some college planning calculators may provide estimates for future costs based on historical trends, such as the average rate of increase in college tuition and fees over the past decade. However, it's important to note that these estimates are just that estimates and actual inflation rates and college costs may vary from these projections.