Best 529 plans of 2021

The manager for the Alabama CollegeCounts 529 Fund direct-sold savings program changed from Van Kampen to Union Bank and Trust Company in August 2010. It features age-based, static and individual fund portfolio options using mutual funds from multiple fund firms.

T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan, the nationally-branded version of Alaska's direct-sold 529 savings program mirrors the University of Alaska College Savings Plan but lacks the ACT Portfolio found in the UA program. The enrollment-based and static portfolios available in this program utilize T. Rowe Price mutual funds.

The Maine NextGen 529 -- Client Direct Series is managed by Sumday Administration, LLC and distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC. The plan utilizes BlackRock (including iShares ETFs) funds in its age-based and static options. In addition, the Principal Plus Portfolio and the NextGen Savings Portfolio are available.

New York's direct-sold 529 college savings plan is available to residents of any state. It offers low fees and diverse investment options featuring Vanguard mutual funds. New York residents may enjoy a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan.

The investment menu in Ohio's 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage, features 3 age-based options and 5 risk-based options using Vanguard funds, a college enrollment-based option and 13 static investment options using Vanguard and DFA funds, and 2 types of FDIC-insured deposit accounts through Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

New York's direct-sold 529 college savings plan is available to residents of any state. It offers low fees and diverse investment options featuring Vanguard mutual funds. New York residents may enjoy a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan.

Union Bank & Trust Company succeeded Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. as program manager of the Bright Start College Savings Program in July 2017. The Illinois direct-sold Plan features three age-based options using either a multi-firm or index-based strategy, three target portfolios, three index target portfolios, individual fund portfolios from a number of fund families and an FDIC-insured option.

Invest529, Virginia's direct-sold college savings plan is available to residents of any state, and offers low fees, diverse investment options and tax benefits for residents.

The Maryland 529 -- Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan is a direct-sold 529 plan available to residents of any state, and offers investment options from T. Rowe Price. Maryland residents may enjoy a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan.

Nebraska Education Savings Trust -- Direct College Savings Plan switched program managers in December 2010 from Union Bank and Trust Company of Lincoln, Nebraska to First National Bank of Omaha. Management of the plan returned to Union Bank and Trust in 2020. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

The West Virginia SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan, available on a direct basis to those who meet certain West Virginia residency requirements, features a menu of age-based and static portfolio options utilizing index funds from Vanguard as well as an Invesco stable value portfolio option. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

The Florida 529 Savings Plan is administered by the Florida Prepaid College Board. In September 2019 the Board enhanced the plan with expanded investment options, reduced fees, and additional investment managers. The plan offers an age-based option with a 16 step glidepath, six static options, and 15 individual funds.

The Future Scholar 529 College Savings Plan is only available to residents of South Carolina. It offers investment options from Columbia and Vanguard and a $426,000 contribution limit. Residents of South Carolina may enjoy a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan.

Wisconsin's Edvest is a direct-sold 529 college savings plan available to residents of any state, and offers low minimums and a variety of investment options from TIAA-CREF, T. Rowe Price and others. Wisconsin residents may enjoy a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan.

T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan, the nationally-branded version of Alaska's direct-sold 529 savings program mirrors the University of Alaska College Savings Plan but lacks the ACT Portfolio found in the UA program. The enrollment-based and static portfolios available in this program utilize T. Rowe Price mutual funds.

The West Virginia SMART529 WV Direct College Savings Plan, available on a direct basis to those who meet certain West Virginia residency requirements, features a menu of age-based and static portfolio options utilizing index funds from Vanguard as well as an Invesco stable value portfolio option. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

Nebraska Education Savings Trust -- Direct College Savings Plan switched program managers in December 2010 from Union Bank and Trust Company of Lincoln, Nebraska to First National Bank of Omaha. Management of the plan returned to Union Bank and Trust in 2020. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

The investment menu in Ohio's 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage, features 3 age-based options and 5 risk-based options using Vanguard funds, a college enrollment-based option and 13 static investment options using Vanguard and DFA funds, and 2 types of FDIC-insured deposit accounts through Fifth Third Bank, National Association. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service.

New York's direct-sold 529 college savings plan is available to residents of any state. It offers low fees and diverse investment options featuring Vanguard mutual funds. New York residents may enjoy a state tax deduction for contributions to the plan.