And, in many cases, it makes sense to do both. CESA money can be used K-12 but 529's can't. CESA's are self-directed, meaning you can invest in a broader range of products and that you can trade within the investment at your discretion. CESA's still have a very modest ($2000/yr) contribution cap but much more can be put into a 529. Weigh all your options before investing.