Assets in 529 college savings plans totaled an estimated $180.3 billion as of the first quarter of this year, according to Financial Research Corp. This reflected a 7% increase from fourth quarter 2012 assets of $168.5 billion and a 14% increase from year-earlier assets of $158.2 billion.
Following are the top 10 college savings plans by assets under management, asset growth and market share, as compiled by FRC.
10. BlackRock CollegeAdvantage 529 Plan: $4.1 billion, Q1 2013
State: Ohio
Distributor: BlackRock
Program Manager: BlackRock
Q1 2012 AUM: $3.8 billion Percent Change (One Year): 8.3%
Q4 2012 AUM: $3.9 billion Percent Change (Quarter): 5.8%
Market Share: 2.3%
9. U.Fund College Investing Plan: $4.1 billion, Q1 2013
State: Massachusetts
Distributor: Fidelity
Program Manager: Fidelity
Q1 2012 AUM: $3.8 billion Percent Change (One Year): 10.1%
Q4 2012 AUM: $3.9 billion Percent Change (Quarter): 5.5%
Market Share: 2.3%
8. ScholarShare College Savings Plan: $5 billion, Q1 2013
State: California
Distributor: TIAA-CREF
Program Manager: TIAA-CREF
Q1 2012 AUM: $4.4 billion Percent Change (One Year): 12.6%
Q4 2012 AUM: $4.7 billion Percent Change (Quarter): 6.1%
Market Share: 2.8%
7. Utah Educational Savings Plan: $5.7 billion, Q1 2013
State: Utah
Distributor: State of Utah
Program Manager: State of Utah
Q1 2012 AUM: $4.7 billion Percent Change (One Year): 20.5%
Q4 2012 AUM: $5.2 billion Percent Change (Quarter): 9.6%
Market Share: 3.1%
6. NextGen College Inv Program – Advisor: $6.7 billion, Q1 2013
State: Maine
Distributor: Merrill Lynch
Program Manager: Merrill Lynch
Q1 2012 AUM: $6.1 billion Percent Change (One Year): 9.5%
Q4 2012 AUM: $6.3 billion Percent Change (Quarter): 6.3%
Market Share: 3.7%
4. The Vanguard 529 Savings Plan: $8 billion, Q1 2013
2. New York's CSP – Direct: $13 billion, Q1 2013
