Top 10 Biggest 529 College Savings Plans: 2013

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%