Topping [dollar]2 billion.

• Position: NC TREND: Pulse

In April, North Carolina's 529 college-savings plan passed [dollar]2 billion in assets. Sound like a lot? Neighboring Virginia has [dollar]52 billion. States compete for a slice of the [dollar]275 billion national 529 market, where assets grew by 8.6% last year and contributions grew by [dollar]27 billion. Some, like Virginia, had a head start with a prepaid tuition plan started in 1994. North Carolina's 529 plan began four years later and focuses heavily on instate families--91% of account holders are residents. Virginia, New York, Nevada and Florida have the largest college-savings plans, by assets.

Virginia 's adviser-sold College America is administered by American Funds.

[dollar]52.4 BILLION

New York's direct-sold College Savings Program is...