Depends on how much money you make. If you don't make much like me, your child will qualify for a nice financial aid package. And most of the money won't have to be paid back. Any guaranteed student loans will eventually have to be paid back by the student. A small guarantee that the student will see their education through to the end. And when they get that degree they will be well able to afford the payments. Also teaches them that money should be used wisely. I haven't had to pay a dime yet for my daughter's education or my own. She is in her 3rd year of college and going to be a doctor and I am getting my Special Education Teaching Credential. It pays to do your paperwork and look for grants and scholarships, there are billions of dollars out there if you apply.

That's just impossible to say. Personally, I would look at your own savings first to make sure they are maximized in most areas. Money is fungible, you should save to the most efficient places possible, and those with the most uses.

It's not possible to say where education will be in 2 years, let alone 18. Today I'd say to a high school grad to highly consider community college for 2 years, and save the cost. Tomorrow, I don't know what the landscape will be. It's very likely your kids will take classes virtually and not need much of the costs we have. It's also likely the population growht and poltical contributions will force college cost may not go ts higher. And your child may not go to school, or may receive a scholarship. After health care, isn't education likely to be subsidized in the next 18 years? Uncertainty makes me lean towards saving for oneself as much as possible, to use those funds for education if need be.