Just how much future tuition a deposit today buys depends on which college your child attends, the number of years until your child enrolls and the discount rate the college offers.

FORBES: Pay Now, Learn Later

Of course, the fact that college officials are willing to offer a discount on future tuition shows they believe they can earn more on investments than the increase in tuition.

FORBES: Money & Investing

In the future, access to college may be nearly universal, with little or no tuition costs.

CNN: Do we need a revolution in higher education?