Credible takeaways
- You can refinance both undergraduate and graduate student loans together, but you'll need to be under a lender's maximum loan amount as part of your eligibility.
- Be cautious about refinancing federal graduate loans, as doing so will cause you to lose access to benefits like loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment.
- Refinancing to a longer loan term can lower your monthly payments, but you'll likely pay more in interest over the life of the loan.
As of the third quarter of 2025, 1.8 million student loan borrowers were repaying more than $119 billion in grad PLUS loans. While federal student loans are known for having relatively low interest rates, private student loans can have rates exceeding 10%.
If you have high interest rates on your graduate student loans, they can be especially difficult to manage. However, refinancing graduate student loans can potentially lower your interest rate, which could help you pay your debt off faster.
Here's how to refinance graduate student loans, as well as top lenders to consider.
Current student loan refinance rates
Best lenders for refinancing graduate student loans
Graduate school can be an expensive investment. Graduate students received an average of $17,240 in federal loans in the 2023-24 school year alone, according to the College Board.
If you have a high interest rate or steep monthly payment on your graduate student loans, you might be able to reduce one or both by refinancing - which could save you money in the long run.
The following Credible partners offer refinancing for graduate students:
Advertiser Disclosure
We receive compensation from the companies below if you purchase a product. Amount of compensation does not impact the ranking or placement of a particular product. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. This content is not provided by Credible or any of the Providers on the Credible website. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Credible.
RISLA: Best for Income-Based Repayment
To determine the best student loan refinancing companies, Credible evaluated lenders based on several different categories, including: rates and fees, loan terms, eligibility, repayment options, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings.
Read our full methodology.
Min. Credit Score
680
Fixed APR
3.99 -
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$7,500 - $250,000
Term
5, 10, 15
Expert Insights
RISLA is notable among refinance lenders for its borrower-friendly repayment options. It offers income-based repayment, extended forbearance, and deferment options. These features give RISLA, a nonprofit, a level of flexibility not commonly found among private lenders.
Advertiser Disclosure
We receive compensation from the companies below if you purchase a product. Amount of compensation does not impact the ranking or placement of a particular product. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. This content is not provided by Credible or any of the Providers on the Credible website. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Credible.
EdvestinU: Best Nonprofit Lender
To determine the best student loan refinancing companies, Credible evaluated lenders based on several different categories, including: rates and fees, loan terms, eligibility, repayment options, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings.
Read our full methodology.
Min. Credit Score
700
Fixed APR
4.15 -
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$7,500 - $200,000
Term
5, 10, 15, 20
Expert Insights
Backed by a nonprofit organization, EdvestinU stands out among many others by offering student loan refinancing without requiring a degree. Borrowers can apply while still in school, which is uncommon among lenders. Eligibility for refinancing through EdvestinU is based on income and credit, with higher thresholds for larger loan amounts.
Advertiser Disclosure
We receive compensation from the companies below if you purchase a product. Amount of compensation does not impact the ranking or placement of a particular product. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. This content is not provided by Credible or any of the Providers on the Credible website. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Credible.
Earnest: Best for Fair Credit
To determine the best student loan refinancing companies, Credible evaluated lenders based on several different categories, including: rates and fees, loan terms, eligibility, repayment options, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings.
Read our full methodology.
Min. Credit Score
665
Fixed APR
-
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$5,000 to 550,000
Term
5, 7, 10, 15, 20
Expert Insights
Unlike many student loan refinance lenders, Earnest considers applicants with fair credit, provided other aspects of their financial profile, such as savings, employment status, and rent or mortgage payments, are strong. Earnest's approach may benefit those who don't meet traditional credit standards but show overall financial stability. This makes it a potential option for borrowers with thinner credit histories.
Advertiser Disclosure
We receive compensation from the companies below if you purchase a product. Amount of compensation does not impact the ranking or placement of a particular product. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. This content is not provided by Credible or any of the Providers on the Credible website. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Credible.
Brazos: Best for Flexible Refinance Terms
To determine the best student loan refinancing companies, Credible evaluated lenders based on several different categories, including: rates and fees, loan terms, eligibility, repayment options, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings.
Read our full methodology.
Min. Credit Score
720
Fixed APR
4.39 -
Variable APR
4.35 -
Loan Amount
$10,000 - $400,000
Term
5, 7, 10, 15, 20
Expert Insights
Brazos offers some of the lowest student loan refinance rates available, but only to Texas residents. As a nonprofit lender, it operates with lower overhead and passes potential savings on to borrowers. This model may appeal to Texans seeking in-state refinancing options with competitive pricing.
Advertiser Disclosure
We receive compensation from the companies below if you purchase a product. Amount of compensation does not impact the ranking or placement of a particular product. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. This content is not provided by Credible or any of the Providers on the Credible website. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Credible.
LendKey: Best for Graduates With Excellent Credit
To determine the best student loan refinancing companies, Credible evaluated lenders based on several different categories, including: rates and fees, loan terms, eligibility, repayment options, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings.
Read our full methodology.
Min. Credit Score
680
Fixed APR
4.54 -
Variable APR
4.56 -
Loan Amount
$5,000 - $250,000
Term
5, 7, 10, 15
Expert Insights
LendKey facilitates access to student loan refinancing offers from credit unions and community banks, which often have different pricing models and underwriting standards than national lenders. Borrowers submit a single application to view multiple offers. LendKey's structure may appeal to those seeking competitive rates or a more community-based lending experience.
Advertiser Disclosure
We receive compensation from the companies below if you purchase a product. Amount of compensation does not impact the ranking or placement of a particular product. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. This content is not provided by Credible or any of the Providers on the Credible website. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Credible.
ELFI: Best for High Balances
To determine the best student loan refinancing companies, Credible evaluated lenders based on several different categories, including: rates and fees, loan terms, eligibility, repayment options, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings.
Read our full methodology.
Min. Credit Score
680
Fixed APR
4.88 -
Variable APR
4.86 -
Loan Amount
$10,000 up to total refinance amount
Term
5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20
Expert Insights
ELFI accommodates borrowers refinancing high student debt, though the amount approved will depend on creditworthiness. The lender allows parent PLUS refinancing and offers 12 months of forbearance during financial hardship. A cosigner is not required, but can help meet ELFI's eligibility criteria.
Advertiser Disclosure
We receive compensation from the companies below if you purchase a product. Amount of compensation does not impact the ranking or placement of a particular product. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. This content is not provided by Credible or any of the Providers on the Credible website. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Credible.
SoFi: Best for Member Perks
To determine the best student loan refinancing companies, Credible evaluated lenders based on several different categories, including: rates and fees, loan terms, eligibility, repayment options, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings.
Read our full methodology.
Min. Credit Score
6501
Fixed APR
-
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$5,000 up to the full balance
Term
5, 7, 10, 15, 20
Expert Insights
SoFi offers more than just student loan refinancing, bundling perks such as access to financial planning, travel discounts, and member events into its lending experience. These services are automatically available to borrowers. This broader, membership-based approach sets SoFi apart from typical private lenders.
Advertiser Disclosure
We receive compensation from the companies below if you purchase a product. Amount of compensation does not impact the ranking or placement of a particular product. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. This content is not provided by Credible or any of the Providers on the Credible website. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Credible.
INvestEd: Best for Forbearance
To determine the best student loan refinancing companies, Credible evaluated lenders based on several different categories, including: rates and fees, loan terms, eligibility, repayment options, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings.
Read our full methodology.
Min. Credit Score
670
Fixed APR
5.54 -
Variable APR
7.49 -
Loan Amount
$5,000 - $250,000
Term
5, 10, 15, 20
Expert Insights
INvestEd stands out among student loan refinance lenders for providing 24 months of general forbearance, significantly longer than many others. This extended relief makes it a strong option for those seeking flexibility during financial hardship. INvestEd does not require a degree to refinance and sets a $36,000 minimum income threshold.
Advertiser Disclosure
We receive compensation from the companies below if you purchase a product. Amount of compensation does not impact the ranking or placement of a particular product. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. This content is not provided by Credible or any of the Providers on the Credible website. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Credible.
Citizens: Best for Current Account Holders
To determine the best student loan refinancing companies, Credible evaluated lenders based on several different categories, including: rates and fees, loan terms, eligibility, repayment options, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings.
Read our full methodology.
Min. Credit Score
Does not disclose
Fixed APR
5.45 -
Variable APR
5.99 -
Loan Amount
$10,000 - $750,000
Term
5, 7, 10, 15, 20
Expert Insights
Citizens offers refinancing through a traditional bank platform, with nationwide availability and loan terms up to 20 years. Borrowers can refinance multiple education loans and may qualify for a loyalty discount if they already bank with Citizens or an autopay discount if they set up automatic payments. These features may appeal to those seeking long-term financing from a brick-and-mortar lender.
Advertiser Disclosure
We receive compensation from the companies below if you purchase a product. Amount of compensation does not impact the ranking or placement of a particular product. Not all available financial products and offers from all financial institutions have been reviewed by this website. This content is not provided by Credible or any of the Providers on the Credible website. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by Credible.
MEFA: Best for No Degree
To determine the best student loan refinancing companies, Credible evaluated lenders based on several different categories, including: rates and fees, loan terms, eligibility, repayment options, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings.
Read our full methodology.
Min. Credit Score
670
Fixed APR
6.20 -
Variable APR
-
Loan Amount
$10,000 up to the total amount
Term
7, 10, 15
Expert Insights
Student loan refinancing with MEFA is available to borrowers regardless of whether they earned a degree. MEFA evaluates applications based on income and credit strength and permits cosigners. Terms are limited to three fixed-rate options: 7, 10, or 15 years.
Why you can trust our Credible experts
The Credible editorial team is independent and unbiased. Partners do not influence our editorial content. To help you find the best student loan for your situation, we conduct thorough research and analyze thousands of lender data points. Using data-driven methodologies, we score criteria that are important to you. This allows us to objectively rank student loan lenders and products. To learn more, read our methodology below.
Methodology
To determine the best student loan refinance lenders for graduate loans, Credible collected more than 1,000 points of data on two dozen private student loan refinance companies and evaluated them on several different categories: repayment options, eligibility, interest rates, loan terms, and customer support. We assigned a score out of five stars to each lender based on our findings. Below are the weightings assigned to the general categories for the best student loan refinance companies - which comprise individual criteria that are also weighted.
- Repayment options: 30%
- Eligibility: 25%
- Interest rates: 20%
- Loan terms: 15%
- Customer support: 10%
While the best lender for you will depend on your unique needs and financial circumstances, these findings should help answer your questions and assist you in your search for the best student loan.
Learn more about our methodology.
How to refinance graduate student loans
If you’ve decided to refinance student loans, follow these five steps:
- Check your credit. It’s a good idea to make sure your credit report doesn’t have any errors. If you find incorrect information, you can dispute it with the credit bureaus to potentially boost your credit score.
- Research and compare lenders. Be sure to compare as many lenders as possible to find the right loan for you. Consider rates, repayment terms, and any fees charged by the lender.
- Choose your loan option. After comparing lenders, choose the loan option that best suits your needs and goals — for example, a lower rate or extended repayment term.
- Fill out the application. You’ll need to complete a full application and submit any required documentation, such as pay stubs or student loan statements. The lender will also do a hard pull of your credit to determine your creditworthiness.
- Manage your payments. If you’re approved, the lender will have you sign for the loan. Be sure to continue making payments on your old loan until everything is processed. After this, you’ll begin paying on your new loan. You might also consider signing up for automatic payments — depending on the lender, you could get an autopay rate discount.
Refinancing might get you a lower interest rate, which could help you save money over the life of your loans — freeing up your budget for other financial goals.
Which graduate student loans can you refinance?
You can generally refinance any graduate student loans, whether they're federal or private. Some lenders, such as SoFi, also offer special refinance programs for specific degrees, such as medicine or dentistry.
Can you refinance other student loans while in graduate school?
You can, but it’s usually best to wait to refinance undergraduate loans until after you’re earning an income and can make the payments.
You might also be able to defer your federal or private student loans while you’re attending graduate school — check with your servicer or lender to see if this is an option for you.
Is there a downside to refinancing student loans?
Yes, there are some potential downsides to refinancing:
- Could lower your credit score: Refinancing might cause a temporary dip in your credit score, as the lender will need to perform a hard credit check to review your credit. However, this impact is typically only temporary, and your credit will likely bounce back up after a few months.
- Might lead to more interest charges: If you refinance for a longer term, you could pay more in interest over time. It’s usually a good idea to choose the shortest term length you can afford.
- Will lose federal benefits: Refinancing federal student loans will cost you your federal protections, such as access to alternative repayment plans and loan forgiveness options.
Be sure to carefully consider whether student loan refinancing is right for you. If you decide to refinance, research and compare as many lenders as you can to find a loan that fits your needs.
Editor insight: “There's no guarantee that you'll qualify for a lower rate through refinancing since lenders base their decision on your credit and income. I recommend working to improve your credit score by paying down other debts and correcting any errors in your credit report, among other strategies, before applying for refinancing.”
— Kelly Larsen, Student Loans Editor, Credible
FAQ
Is refinancing graduate student loans any different than undergraduate loans?
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Can I lower my monthly payments on graduate loans if I refinance?
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Will refinancing graduate loans hurt my credit?
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Will my graduate student loans qualify for loan forgiveness after I refinance?
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