NEW YORK — All those reports about the rising cost of a college education appear to be having an impact on the savings patterns of American families.

A survey finds that parents with children younger than 18 are more concerned about saving for their children's educations than they are about saving for retirement.

The study was commissioned by The Vanguard Group mutual fund company, which is based in Valley Forge and Upromise Investments Inc. of Needham, Mass., which channels shopping rebates into educational savings accounts.

The survey found that 37 percent of the more than 1,100 parents who were interviewed said saving for college was of primary concern, compared with 34 percent who said retirement was their top financial concern.