How much will college cost?
Use the calculator below to get an idea of how much you may need so you can set your college savings goals accordingly.
Compare college costs
You can get an idea of how much to prepare for based upon the current costs of college and adjusting for the cost of inflation. Using 2025 tuition, fees and living costs, College Tuition Compare compiled a national database of total costs for colleges and different types of schools by state. Their data sources include IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and the OPE (U.S. Department of Education—Office of Postsecondary Education).
Source: CollegeTuitionCompare.com, 2025.
Current college costs by state
| State | Tuition | Living Costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | Public in-state | Public out-of-state | Private | On-campus | Off-campus |
| 78 Schools | $8,955 | $21,290 | $26,984 | $15,175 | $16,221 |
Relevant FAQs
If your child ends up not needing the funds for post-secondary education, you always have multiple options for your money:
- Your funds can be used to pay for a variety of eligible education expenses, including public or private colleges, universities, community colleges, professional and career technical programs, certain apprenticeship expenses or postgraduate programs in the United States—and even some schools abroad.1
- Your 529 can be used for student loan repayment up to a $10,000 lifetime limit per individual.1
- Up to $20,000 annually can be used toward K-12 qualified expenses (per student).1
- You can transfer the funds to another eligible beneficiary, such as another child, a grandchild or yourself.
- If you just want the money back, you can withdraw the funds at any time. If funds are withdrawn for a purpose other than qualified higher education expenses, the earnings portion of the withdrawal is subject to federal and state taxes plus a 10% additional federal tax on earnings (known as the "Additional Tax"). See the Plan Description for more information and exceptions.
- Roll over funds to a Roth IRA. Limitations apply.2
- Pay for qualified expenses when enrolled in a recognized postsecondary credentialing program.1
- Or you can always wait because the funds never expire, and often the choice to go to school is a delayed decision. So, if your child changes their mind down the road, your savings will still be available.
Footnotes
- 1Withdrawals for qualified expenses at K-12 public, private, or religious schools, registered apprenticeship programs, recognized postsecondary credentialing programs, and student loan repayment can be withdrawn free from federal and Kansas state income tax. State tax treatment for non-Kansas taxpayers varies. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances.↩
- 2Funds rolled over to a Roth IRA can be withdrawn free from federal and Kansas income tax. If you are not a Kansas taxpayer, these withdrawals may include recapture of tax deduction and state income tax. Account Owners and Beneficiaries should consult with a qualified tax professional before rolling over funds from their 529 plan to contribute to a Roth IRA.↩
Your contributions will always be yours, and you do not need to be a resident of Kansas to open, contribute to or use a Quest529 account. Your account can also be used for a range of qualified expenses in state, out of state and abroad. If you move to another state, you can keep your money invested and continue making contributions to your Quest529 account—no problem!
No. Your Quest529 funds can be used at any eligible university in the country—and even some abroad. This includes public and private colleges and universities, registered apprenticeship programs, community colleges, graduate schools, professional schools or career technical education. Up to $20,000 annually can be used toward K-12 qualified expenses (per student). In addition, your 529 can be used for student loan repayment up a $10,000 lifetime limit per individual. Review a list of qualifying expenses and the state tax treatment of withdrawals for these expenses in the Plan Description1.
Footnotes
- 1Withdrawals for qualified expenses at K-12 public, private, or religious schools, registered apprenticeship programs, recognized postsecondary credentialing programs, and student loan repayment can be withdrawn free from federal and Kansas state income tax. State tax treatment for non-Kansas taxpayers varies. You should talk to a qualified professional about how tax provisions affect your circumstances.↩
Assets in your Account can be used to pay for the Beneficiary's Qualified Higher Education Expenses, which include:
- Tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment or attendance of a Beneficiary at an Eligible Educational Institution;
- Expenses for housing and food (room and board) incurred by students who are enrolled at least half-time and subject to certain limitations;
- Expenses for the purchase of computer or certain peripheral equipment, computer software, or Internet access and related services if it is to be used primarily by the Beneficiary during any of the years the Beneficiary is enrolled at an Eligible Educational Institution;
- Expenses for special needs services in the case of a special needs Beneficiary which are incurred in connection with such enrollment or attendance;
- Tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for participation of the Beneficiary in an Apprenticeship Program;
- Payments on Qualified Education Loans of the Beneficiary or a Sibling of the Beneficiary, subject to a lifetime limit of $10,000 per individual;
- Primary or Secondary School Expenses (up to the then applicable limit); and
- Postsecondary Credentialing Expenses. Additionally, rollovers are permitted from an Account to a Roth IRA, subject to the conditions discussed in this Plan Description.
State tax treatment of withdrawals is determined by the state where you file state income tax. Please consult with a tax advisor before withdrawing funds for any such expenses, rollovers or loan repayments.
