" … All 529 plans are not the same, so it can pay to study up." …
Some states offer a state income tax break for 529 contributions. Some states don’t require you to keep the money in the account for very long. In that case, you might put tuition, housing and food payments into the 529 a few months before you withdraw the money and pay the bills.
Some states only provide a tax deduction if you put the money into that state’s 529. PA. allows a resident to use any state’s 529 and still get a deduction.
Generally, programs run by Vanguard often have the lowest fees. Otherwise, those fees can add up over time, and cut into your returns.
My state’s 529 plan really sucks. It is far worse than my other investment. I should have just put those money in my Roth IRA instead. I can earn much more than the state tax break plus earning per year easily by other investment option. And the tax break is a one time deal while my Roth earning will accumulate over the years.