Arkansas – Saving For College in 2024
As parents, grandparents and students, we know college is coming and that we're somehow going to have to pay for it someday. Fortunately, we have many options available to us, including savings bonds, the stock market and 529 plans. Starting a 529 account now is always the best option, no matter how old you (or your child) is. While playing the stock market may yield higher returns on your investment, placing your money into a 529 plan allows it to grow in a tax-free environment. One study even found that when the federal tax benefits were taken into consideration, 529 plans outperformed their benchmarks in every category.
Arkansas has its own state-operated 529 plan called GIFT College Investing Plan. It is important to note that your child does not have to go to a AR college or university to use this savings account. 529 plan funds can be used at any accredited college or university across the nation, including some K-12 private schools!
Arkansas College Costs & Trends
Colleges and universities across the United States experienced increased operating costs of 2.5% in 2019. This most recent inflation figure was down slightly from the 2.9 percent increase in 2018 and 3.4 percent increase in 2017. These costs are forwarded directly to students in the form of higher tuition and living expenses. As these costs steadily rise every year, parents are investigating how to help offset these future higher education costs.
These rising costs are hitting closer to home in Arkansas as well. Arkansas's higher education costs rose by 30% in just the last 10 years, ranking as the 34th highest state.
The table below shows the average one-year costs last year (2023) for different types of Arkansas colleges and universities.
| Ownership | Degree | Schools | Public Out-of-State Tuition | Public In-State Tuition | Median Debt | Total Annual In-State Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | 2 year | 31 | $7,386 | $7,386 | $10,939 | $13,729 |
| Private | 4 year | 14 | $21,214 | $21,214 | $22,693 | $18,232 |
| Public | 2 year | 24 | $4,732 | $3,025 | $8,813 | $6,678 |
| Public | 4 year | 11 | $14,991 | $7,949 | $19,494 | $12,812 |
These costs rise every year. Rising tuition is a major driver of these increased higher education costs. Tuition at a 4-year university in AR rose 19% (ranked 17th in the US), while a 2-year or trade school increased their tuition by 18 percent.
529 Tax Benefits for Arkansas Residents
Arkansas offers tax benefits and deductions when savings are put into your child's 529 savings plan.
| For single filers: | $5,000/yr |
|---|---|
| For joint filers: | $10,000/yr |
Best 529 Plans in Arkansas
Arkansas’ direct-sold 529 savings program, the GIFT College Investing Plan, is managed by Ascensus College Savings and features age-based and static portfolio options utilizing Vanguard mutual funds. An advisor-sold Arkansas 529 plan, the iShares 529 Plan, was added in 2007 as the first 529 plan to exclusively feature exchange-traded funds (ETF).
| State Plan Name: | GIFT College Investing Plan |
|---|---|
| Minimum Contribution: | $25 |
| Maximum Contribution: | Up to $366,000 in total account balances in a single beneficiary’s name; earnings continue to accrue. |
| Fees: | 0.39% to 0.53% asset management fee; non-residents pay a $20 annual account maintenance fee, unless the beneficiary lives in Arizona. |
Arkansas 529 Plan Statistics
There are 41,727 registered schools in Arkansas with a total value of $923,629,196. That is an average of $22,135 per account. Unfortunately, 529 plans are not widely used... a 2018 study by Edward Jones found that only 29 percent of Americans were even aware that 529 savings plans exist!