TCSIX vs. CSTAX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TCSIX (TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Conservative Fund) and CSTAX (American Funds College 2027 Fund) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. Over the past 10 years, TCSIX returned 6.23%/yr vs 4.99%/yr for CSTAX. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TCSIX charges 0.10%/yr vs 0.41%/yr for CSTAX.

Performance

TCSIX vs. CSTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Conservative Fund (TCSIX) and American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCSIX achieves a 4.02% return, which is significantly higher than CSTAX's 1.47% return. Over the past 10 years, TCSIX has outperformed CSTAX with an annualized return of 6.23%, while CSTAX has yielded a comparatively lower 4.99% annualized return.

TCSIX

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 2.27%
• YTD: 4.02%
• 6M: 4.37%
• 1Y: 12.85%
• 3Y*: 10.44%
• 5Y*: 4.67%
• 10Y*: 6.23%

CSTAX

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: 0.65%
• YTD: 1.47%
• 6M: 1.68%
• 1Y: 6.99%
• 3Y*: 6.87%
• 5Y*: 2.83%
• 10Y*: 4.99%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

TCSIX vs. CSTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TCSIX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Conservative Fund	4.02%	12.00%	8.33%	12.70%	-13.68%	6.46%	12.14%	15.49%	-4.45%	10.60%
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund	1.47%	9.00%	5.57%	6.57%	-9.87%	6.52%	7.66%	13.35%	-2.23%	11.77%

Correlation

The correlation between TCSIX and CSTAX is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2013	0.88

The correlation between TCSIX and CSTAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.80 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TCSIX vs. CSTAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

TCSIX

TCSIX Risk / Return Rank: 51
TCSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
TCSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
TCSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 58
TCSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
TCSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 51

CSTAX

CSTAX Risk / Return Rank: 60
CSTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
CSTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
CSTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 70
CSTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
CSTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

TCSIX vs. CSTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Conservative Fund (TCSIX) and American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	TCSIX	CSTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.34	-0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.11	3.52	-0.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.47	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	2.61	-0.34
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.42	10.06	+0.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TCSIX vs. CSTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCSIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the CSTAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCSIX and CSTAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	TCSIX	CSTAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	2.34	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64	0.55	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83	0.86	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.88	+0.03

Drawdowns

TCSIX vs. CSTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCSIX drawdown since its inception was -19.12%, which is greater than CSTAX's maximum drawdown of -14.52%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCSIX and CSTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCSIX	CSTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.12%	-14.52%	-4.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.73%	-2.72%	-3.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.81%	-4.89%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.12%	-14.52%	-4.60%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.12%	-14.52%	-4.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.40%	+0.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.66%	-2.35%	-0.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.25%	0.70%	+0.55%

Volatility

TCSIX vs. CSTAX - Volatility Comparison

TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Conservative Fund (TCSIX) has a higher volatility of 2.03% compared to American Funds College 2027 Fund (CSTAX) at 1.11%. This indicates that TCSIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CSTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCSIX	CSTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.03%	1.11%	+0.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	4.96%	2.32%	+2.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.01%	3.03%	+2.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	7.38%	5.16%	+2.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.50%	5.79%	+1.71%

TCSIX vs. CSTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCSIX has a 0.10% expense ratio, which is lower than CSTAX's 0.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCSIX vs. CSTAX - Dividend Comparison

TCSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.74%, less than CSTAX's 5.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CSTAX American Funds College 2027 Fund	5.19%	5.26%	3.78%	3.17%	3.40%	7.52%	5.72%	4.00%	4.78%	3.90%	4.34%	4.49%
TCSIX TIAA-CREF Lifestyle Conservative Fund	4.74%	5.59%	3.28%	2.96%	6.28%	7.32%	4.75%	3.57%	4.36%	1.77%	3.57%	2.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCSIX and CSTAX in my portfolio?

TCSIX and CSTAX have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TCSIX or CSTAX?

TCSIX has higher volatility (2.03%) compared to CSTAX (1.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCSIX dropped -19.12% vs CSTAX's -14.52%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CSTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.34 vs 2.17), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.