To tell you the truth, I put $10,000 in my son's 529 plan 11 years ago and now it's worth just over $12,000.  That is far from the touted 8% per year growth the stock market is supposed to have.  I am not a fan of these plans because you can't move money around to fit the changes in the market and you must use them for college or pay a penalty.  I've found that it's better to invest as the parent's money so that you have flexibility and control.