There are several dozen points that could be factors in a comparison.  These six general areas give a good basis for comparing or narrowing you selection:

1. Pay attention to the program manager and the underlying investment manager(s) and their reputations.  Is the managing firm well established?  Is the investment manager or managers, if there are multiple managers, firms that you know or have had experience with?  
2. The state tax and other benefits can be a significant benefit to a resident vs. a non-resident.  Some states offer favorable tax treatment (such as a state income tax deduction or state tax credit) or other benefits to their residents only if the resident invests in their own state’s plan.  Find out if your state plan offers any matching funds (available in some states for families who meet income criteria).
3. The fees and expenses will vary among plans.  There can be annual administrative fees, enrollment fees, investment management fees for the underlying assets, and sales expenses if you are working with an advisor.  Understand what the fees are and evaluate whether the fees represent value to you and/or if they reasonable by industry comparisons.
4. The types of investment choices (age-based, static, individual funds) and the number and range of investment options can go from less than four to over twenty.  Investment management style will range from active to passive using 100% index funds, and anywhere in between.
5. Investment results should not be overlooked.  Some programs are beginning to have enough years of experience for the investment results to be worthy of evaluation.  Understanding the asset allocation principles that guide decisions about how the portfolios are managed is likely to be a great benefit in comparing plans.

How the plan can be purchased will be a key comparison for many investors.  Do you have a preference to work with an advisor or is there a strong preference to “do-it-yourself” and consider only direct-sold plans?  Advisor-sold plans have a sales charge that isn’t present with direct-sold plans.