Having good credit often makes it easier to get approved for personal loans as well as qualify for low interest rates. A good credit score is considered to be 700 or higher, while anything above 750 is excellent.
Keep in mind that the best personal loans for good credit provide competitive interest rates, a wide selection of loan terms, and inclusive eligibility requirements.
Best personal loans for good credit
Before you take out a personal loan, it’s important to consider multiple lenders. This way, you can find the right loan for your needs.
Here are Credible’s partner lenders that offer personal loans for good credit (as well as loans for lower credit scores):
Loan Amount
$5000 to $100000
Min. Credit Score
Does not disclose
No fees required
Large loan amounts available
Autopay and direct pay discounts
Same day funding
Long loan terms available
Good credit required
5,000 minimum loan amount
Overview
SoFi stands out for offering no-fee personal loans with competitive rates, high loan amounts, long loan terms, discounts for autopay and direct pay, and funding as soon as the same day. Plus, SoFi prioritizes convenience for existing and potential customers with features like live chat and an easy prequalification process that doesn't require your Social Security number. Once you have a loan with SoFi, you may be eligible for unemployment protection and unemployment assistance.
The main catch is that you need to qualify for a loan with SoFi, which can be hard to do if you don't have good credit. You also won't be able to apply with a cosigner, since SoFi doesn't accept cosigners; nor does it offer secured personal loans.
Fees
Option to pay an origination fee (up to 6%) in exchange for a lower rate
Time to get funds
Typically within a few days, given approval and bank account verification, but sometimes within the same day
Loan uses
Solely for personal, family, or household uses
Best credit union for personal loans
Loan Amount
$600 to $50000
No origination fee
Allows cosigners
Small loan amounts available
May fund in 1 to 2 business days
No discounts
Good credit required
Overview
PenFed is a credit union that offers personal loans to applicants with good credit. Though you'll need to become a member to receive a loan, membership is open to everyone. PenFed shines with no origination fees, small available loan amounts, and low interest rates. If you don't have a FICO score above 700, you may not qualify on your own, but can apply with a cosigner with good credit — which is not something most lenders offer.
PenFed doesn't have a minimum income amount, and offers live chat and an entirely online loan application process.
Fees
Unsuccessful payment fee, late fee
Time to get funds
Typically 1 to 2 business days after verification
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, home improvement, credit card refinancing
Loan Amount
$1000 to $50000
Fair credit borrowers eligible
Autopay and direct pay discounts
Can fund in as little as 1 business day
Mobile app
Secured loans available
High maximum origination fee
Cosigners not accepted on home improvement loans
Low J.D. Power ranking
Overview
Upgrade has a suite of features that make it a very attractive lender: competitive interest rates, discounts for direct pay and autopay, as soon as same-day funding, up to seven-year repayment terms, and nationwide availability. Plus, loans are available to fair-credit borrowers, and you don't need to input your Social Security number to prequalify on the website. Upgrade even offers secured personal loans, which is not common among lenders.
However, Upgrade does charge an origination fee of 1.85% to 9.99%. You must have a FICO score of at least 600 and a minimum income of $25,000 annually to qualify.
Loan amount
$1,000 to $50,000 ($3,005 minimum in GA; $6,600 minimum in MA)
Loan uses
Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, major purchase, other
Best for no origination fees (and low rates)
Loan Amount
$2500 to $40000
Low minimum APR
May fund the next business day
Long loan terms available
Direct pay to creditors
No origination fee
No discounts offered
Secured loans not available
Overview
Discover Personal Loans offers low APRs, repayment terms up to seven years, no origination fees, nationwide availability, and doesn't require your Social Security number to prequalify on its site. You'll need to have an annual income of at least $40,000, and a FICO score 660 or higher, to be eligible. If your credit score is fair or poor, you'll need to go elsewhere, as Discover doesn't allow cosigners.
Funds are available as soon as the next business day after loan approval.
Eligibility
Available in all 50 states
Time to get funds
Funds can be sent as soon as the next business day after acceptance
Loan uses
Auto repair, credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home remodel or repair, major purchase, medical expenses, taxes, vacation, and wedding
Best quick loans for good credit
Loan Amount
$5000 to $35000
Excellent customer reviews on Trustpilot
Funding as soon as the same business day
Large loan amounts available
Possible origination fee up to 7.49% (through Credible)
Other lenders may have lower starting APRs
No cosigner option
Overview
It’s worth considering a personal loan through Splash if you have good credit (ideally, a FICO score above 710). The platform offers loans from a wide range of lenders, and next-day funding is available. Plus, Splash has a live chat feature so you can get real-time answers without having to wait on hold or for an email. Loans are available up to $100,000 if you apply via Splash’s website.
Rates are competitive, but borrowers with excellent credit may find lower APRs elsewhere. If you need a repayment term longer than five years, you’ll need to look elsewhere as well.
Loan amount
$5,000 - $100,000 (up to $35,000 on Credible)
Eligibility
Available in all states except VT. OH and NM net disbursed amount must be greater than $5,000. MA must be greater than $6,000
Time to get funds
Same day available, typically 1-3 days
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, home improvement, medical expenses, major purchases
Best debt consolidation loans for bad credit
Loan Amount
$1000 to $50000
Borrowers with bad credit considered
No minimum income requirement
Autopay and direct pay discounts available
Can fund in one business day
High APRs
Potentially high origination fees
Not available in Iowa
Overview
Universal Credit is one of a handful of lenders that offers personal loans for bad credit. If your FICO credit score is at least 560, you may be eligible for a Universal Credit personal loan. It offers loan amounts up to $50,000, repayment terms up to seven years, and discounts for direct pay and autopay. Funds are available as soon as the next business day after loan approval.
Note that rates and fees can be relatively high — you may pay an origination fee from 5.25% to 9.99%, and APRs start at 11.69%. If you get a loan with a high interest rate, consider refinancing your personal loan at a lower rate once you've improved your credit score.
Eligibility
A U.S. citizen or permanent resident; not available in DC, IA, SC, WV
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 business day after acceptance
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, pay off credit cards, home improvements, unexpected expenses, home and auto repairs, weddings, and other major purchases
Best for home improvement loans and low rates
Loan Amount
$5000 to $100000
Same-day funding available
High maximum loan amount
No origination fee
Good credit required
No prequalification process
Not available in Vermont
Overview
Lightstream is one of three Credible partner lenders to offer loan amounts up to $100,000, which makes it ideal for financing large expenses like home improvements or weddings. Funds are available as soon as the same day you apply, and you'll have up to 12 years to repay certain types of loans, including home improvement loans, RV loans, and boat loans. There are no origination fees, and rates are low — as of this writing, Lightstream's lowest APR beats SoFi's advertised lowest APR by 1 percentage point. But you'll need good credit to qualify.
Note that unlike most lenders, Lightstream does not let you prequalify. Nor does it provide a contact phone number next to its customer service hours on its website.
Repayment terms
2 - 12 years, depending on loan purpose
Eligibility
Available in all states except RI and VT
Time to get funds
As soon as the next business day
Loan uses
Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, and other purposes
Best Close Rates if Pre-approved
Loan Amount
$2000 to $50000
Secured loans available
Low minimum income requirement
Funds in 1-3 business days
High close rate on loans through Credible platform
Origination fees
No discounts
Not available in DC, IA, VT, or WV
Overview
Best Egg is a solid lender for a wide range of borrowers. It offers competitive rates, reasonable loan terms and amounts, and personal loans for fair credit. You'll need a FICO score of at least 600 to qualify, but the lower your score, the higher your APR may be. The APR includes the interest rate and origination fees, which range from 0.99% to 8.99% with Best Egg.
Note that if you successfully prequalify with Best Egg, you may be more likely to be approved for the loan relative to other lenders you prequalify with. Based on Credible data, borrowers who chose to apply for a loan with Best Egg were more than twice as likely to be approved (relative to most other Credible partners).
Fees
Origination fee, late fee, unsuccessful payment fee, check processing fee
Eligibility
Available in all states except DC, IA, VT, and WV
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 to 3 business days after successful verification
Loan uses
Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, and other purposes
Loan Amount
$1000 to $40000
Mobile app
Low minimum income requirement
High close rate on loans made through Credible
Available in all states
Origination fee
No discounts
Only 3- and 5-year repayment terms available
Overview
LendingClub is a solid lender for good credit borrowers and some fair credit borrowers that apply directly on its website. It's easy to prequalify with LendingClub, especially if you're uncomfortable providing your Social Security number, as the company doesn't require it at the prequalification stage. (You will need to provide it if you move forward with a full application.)
While prequalification is not a guarantee that you'll be approved for a loan, LendingClub does a better job than most other Credible partner lenders at approving applicants that have successfully prequalified. In other words, you're less likely to have your application declined once you apply (if you've already prequalified). LendingClub may charge an origination fee between 3% and 6%.
Eligibility
Available in all 50 states
Time to get funds
Usually takes about 2 days
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, paying off credit cards
Best for all credit types
Loan Amount
$2000 to $35000
Borrowers with bad credit considered
Funds as soon as the next business day
1-year loan terms available on Avant's website
Low maximum origination fee
No discounts offered
Origination fee
Not available in HI, IA, MA, ME, NY, VT, or WV
Overview
Avant personal loans are a good choice for borrowers with bad credit looking for small- to moderate-sized personal loans. Loans are available up to $35,000 and you could get the money as soon as the next business day after approval. Plus, Avant is more likely than some lenders to approve the applications of borrowers who've prequalified with Avant. However, the lender charges an origination fee up to 4.75%, and its top-range interest rates are among the highest of the lenders we reviewed.
Fees
Origination fee, late fee, dishonored payment fee
Eligibility
Available in all states except HI, IA, MA, ME, NY, VT, and WV
Time to get funds
As soon as the next business day (if approved by 4:30 p.m. CT on a weekday)
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, emergency expense, life event, home improvement, and other purposes
Repayment terms
1 to 5 years (2 to 5 years through Credible)
Loan Amount
$10000 to $50000
Long loan terms available
May fund in 1 to 2 days
Low minimum income requirement
Available in all states
Trustpilot score of 4.9/5 stars
High minimum loan amount
Origination fee
No discounts
Good credit required
Overview
Axos is one of few lenders that offers loans for business purposes. Plus, it has a low minimum income requirement, offers repayment terms up to 7 years, and is available in all states. But If you need a loan under $10,000, you'll need to look elsewhere. While this lender may charge an origination fee, it's fees are on the low side, topping out at 3%. You'll also want to have good credit to apply for a loan with Axos. You can expect to receive funds 1 to 2 business days after the loan is approved.
Eligibility
Available in all 50 states
Time to get funds
As soon as the next business day after successful verification
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, home improvement, self-employment, and other purposes
Best for consolidating credit card debt
Loan Amount
$3000 to $40000
Mobile app
Live chat
Low maximum APR
Limited loan terms available
No discounts
Origination fees
Not available in MA or NV
Overview
Happy Money has been in operation since 2009 (formerly known as Payoff). It's an option for fair-credit borrowers (plus those with better credit), and notably has a relatively low top-end APR. In other words, you could qualify for a lower rate with Happy Money with fair credit, relative to other lenders that offer fair-credit loans. The company does charge an origination fee on some loans, up to 5%, but that's not as high as some other lenders' origination fees.
You should be prepared to wait a few days to get your money, as funding can take three to five days once approved. And loans aren't available in Massachusetts or Nevada. Happy Money has an A+ rating with the BBB and is ideal for debt consolidation and credit card consolidation loans.
Eligibility
Available in all states except MA, MS, NV, and OH
Time to get funds
As soon as 2 - 5 business days after verification
Loan uses
Debt consolidation and credit card consolidation only
Best bad credit personal loans
Loan Amount
$1500 to $20000
Borrowers with poor credit may be eligible
Secured loans available
Allows cosigners
Can fund as soon as one business day after approval
High minimum APR
Process not 100% digital
Not available in AK, AR, CT, DC, MA, RI or VT
High maximum origination fee
Overview
OneMain Financial has multiple options for bad-credit personal loans. The minimum credit score required is 540, which means you could get a loan with bad credit (FICO below 580). Plus, cosigners are allowed — a cosigner is someone (ideally, with good credit) who promises to repay the loan if you can't, which can make it easier to qualify or lower your rate. And, secured personal loans are available. You secure a loan with collateral, which may also help you qualify or lower your rate.
Rates are higher than competitors and OneMain charges origination fees as either a flat fee up to $500, or a percentage from 1% to 10% (depending on your state of residence). Note that even if you prequalify for a personal loan with OneMain, getting approved isn't a given.
Fees
Origination fee, unsuccessful payment fee, late fee
Eligibility
Must have photo I.D. issued by U.S. federal, state or local government
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 to 2 days after acceptance
Loan use
All except business, and education
Best fast personal loans for all credit types
Loan Amount
$1000 to $50000
May fund in 1 business day
No minimum credit score requirement on lender site
Low minimum APR
Trustpilot score of 4.9/5 stars
May charge a high origination fee
No discounts offered
Overview
Upstart has one of the lowest available APRs of Credible partner lenders and of all non-partners we reviewed, making it a good choice for well-qualified applicants. However, it's also is one of few lenders that doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement (if you apply on the lender's website), which makes it an option if you have bad credit or no credit history. Upstart may charge an origination fee as high as 12%, but good-credit borrowers may not be charged one at all.
Trustpilot gives Upstart 4.9 stars, which is the highest of all lenders we reviewed.
Time to get funds
As soon as 1 to 3 business days
Loan uses
Pay off credit cards, consolidate debt, relocate, make a large purchase, and other purposes
Best for fast funding and fair credit
Loan Amount
$3500 to $40000
May fund within 1 day
Fair-credit borrowers may be eligible
Social Security number not required to prequalify
Origination fee
No discounts
Not available in CO, CT, ME, NV, NH, TN, VT, WV, or WY
Fees
Origination Fee, $15 Late Fee, $25 NSF Fee
Eligibility
Available in all states except CO, CT, ME, NV, NH, TN, VT, WV, WY, and all U.S. Territories
Time to get funds
Funds typically deposited into your account in 1 business day13
Loan uses
Debt consolidation, credit card refinancing
Lender Rating Methodology
To find the “best companies,” Credible looked at loan and lender data points from 10 categories to give you a well-rounded perspective on each of our partner lenders. Here’s what we considered:
- Interest rates
- Repayment terms
- Repayment options
- Maximum loan amount
- Loan funding time
- Fees
- Discounts
- Customer service availability
- Whether the minimum credit score is available publicly
- Whether consumers could request rates with a soft credit check
Learn more about how Credible rates lenders by exploring our Personal Loans Lender Rating Methodology.
Other personal loan lenders to consider
Other lenders also offer personal loans for good credit. Keep in mind that these lenders aren't Credible partners, so you won’t be able to easily compare your rates with them on the Credible platform like you can our partner lenders.
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Check Out: Home Improvement Loans
How to get a good credit personal loan
If you’re ready to apply for a personal loan, follow these four steps:
- Research and compare lenders. Be sure to consider as many personal loan lenders as you can to find the right loan for you. Consider not only interest rates, but also repayment terms and any fees the lender charges.
- Pick a loan option. After comparing lenders, choose the loan option that works best for you.
- Complete the application. Once you’ve picked a lender, you’ll need to fill out a full application and submit any required documentation, such as pay stubs or tax returns.
- Get your funds. If you’re approved, the lender will have you sign for the loan so the money can be released to you. The time to fund a personal loan is usually about one week — though some lenders offer fast personal loans that can be funded as soon as the same or next business day after approval.
Tip
Before you take out a personal loan, be sure to consider how much that loan will cost you in the future. This way, you can be prepared for any added expenses.
You can estimate how much you’ll pay for a loan using our personal loan calculator.
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What is a good credit score to get a personal loan?
Credit scores typically range from 300 to 850. A good credit score is usually 670 or higher, according to FICO’s scoring model. Here’s a closer look at how FICO classifies credit scores:
| | |
---|
| | Access to best rates and terms, and few to no fees |
| | Access to many lenders, good rates and repayment terms |
| | Lenders see you pay your bills on time and you’ll likely qualify for competitive rates and terms |
| | Some lenders may work with you if you have a stable job and good income |
| | Your ability to qualify for a loan will be limited, and you may need a cosigner to qualify for good rates |
A few different factors make up your FICO credit score:
- Payment history (35%): This category shows if you have a track record of making on-time payments.
- Amounts owed (30%): This is how much of your available credit you’re using. If you’re using quite a bit of your available credit, it can indicate that you’ll struggle to make your payments.
- Length of credit history (15%): The longer you’ve had open accounts, the better, but you can still have a good credit score without a long credit history.
- Credit mix (10%): Having a diverse mixture of loans and credit cards can help your credit score.
- New credit (10%): If you open multiple new accounts within a short period, it can ding your score since it shows that you’re potentially overextended.
Check Out: Getting a Loan With No Credit: 4 Loans for New Borrowers
Will a personal loan boost my credit score?
When you apply for a personal loan, the lender will perform a hard credit check to estimate how likely you are to repay the loan. This could cause your score to drop slightly — usually five points or less. This effect is usually only temporary, and your credit score could bounce back within a few months.
The good news is that a personal loan could actually boost your credit score over time — outweighing any initially negative impact. For example, most borrowers who use a personal loan to consolidate debt see a credit score increase 20 points or more, according to TransUnion.
A few positive ways a personal loan could impact your credit score include:
- Building positive payment history: Payment history is the largest factor that determines your credit score. If you make on-time payments on your personal loan, you could see a boost to your credit.
- Lowering credit utilization ratio: Your credit utilization is the amount you owe on revolving credit lines — such as credit cards — compared to your limits. If you use a personal loan to consolidate your debt, you could reduce your credit utilization ratio and improve your credit score.
- Diversifying your credit mix: Lenders like to see that you can handle multiple types of credit — which is why having different kinds of loans contributes to your credit score. Adding a new personal loan could help improve your credit mix and potentially boost your score.
Learn More: Credit Card Consolidation Loans
What to know about personal loans
Having good credit can help you secure a personal loan with more favorable and affordable terms as opposed to someone with poor or even fair credit.
Types of loans for those with good credit
These are the three most common types of personal loans you’ll come across when looking to borrow money.
- Secured personal loans: A secured personal loan is a type of installment loan that requires collateral. Because the loan is backed by an asset that may be seized if you default on it, the rates offered are frequently lower than unsecured loans.
- Unsecured personal loans: An unsecured personal loan is also an installment loan. However, unlike secured loans, it is not backed by an asset. This means you do not have to put up any collateral, like a vehicle, to get approved.
- Debt consolidation loans: Debt consolidation loans are a type of unsecured personal loan meant to help pay off high interest debt, like credit cards. By consolidating multiple accounts into one personal loan, you can streamline payments to once a month and save on interest.
Alternatives to personal loans if you have good credit
For those with good credit, there are options when it comes to borrowing money. Instead of a personal loan, you may want to consider a personal line of credit. A line of credit is a type of revolving credit account that allows you to borrow money when you need it. After paying off what you’ve borrowed, you’re able to borrow money again.
If you have high interest debt like credit cards, you may want to consider a debt consolidation loan. This can be especially helpful if your credit has improved since opening the cards, as you will likely receive a lower interest rate and save money long term.
Personal loans vs. credit cards
Another option to make a large purchase, consolidate debt, or cover another unexpected expense is to use a credit card. If you’re considering a personal loan versus a credit card, here are a few pros and cons of both to keep in mind:
Personal loans
| |
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| |
| |
Can apply with a cosigner | Begin to accrue interest immediately |
Personal loans typically have lower interest rates than credit cards — especially for borrowers with good to excellent credit. They also have fixed interest rates, which means your monthly payment amount won’t change. Some lenders allow cosigners on personal loans, which can help you get approved or even get you a lower interest rate.
Keep in mind that some personal loan lenders charge fees, like origination fees for processing the loan, or late fees if you miss a payment. These can increase your overall loan cost. And since personal loans are made for a set amount, you’ll have to apply for a second personal loan if you need additional funds in the future.
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Credit cards
| |
---|
| Higher interest rates, potentially |
Could continue to help build your credit | |
| Could be tempting to rack up a balance |
Some credit cards have a 0% APR introductory period, which means you can avoid paying interest if you repay your balance before the intro period ends. But if you don’t pay the card off in time, you could be stuck with hefty interest charges. If you keep the credit card open and continue making payments on time, it can help you build credit. And depending on the card you choose, you might be able to take advantage of rewards or perks, such as airline miles or cash back.
But credit cards typically charge higher interest rates than personal loans, and you might have to pay fees for balance transfers, cash advances, and more. You’ll need good to excellent credit to qualify for a 0% APR credit card. And if you don’t stick to a budget it can be easy to swipe your credit card without thinking, which could draw you further into debt.
How much can I borrow with a personal loan?
Personal loans typically range from $600 to $100,000 or more, depending on the lender. Keep in mind that you’ll likely have an easier time getting approved for a large loan balance if you have:
- Good to excellent credit
- Income that supports your ability to repay the loan
- Low debt-to-income ratio
Tip
Be sure to borrow only what you need — even if you qualify for a larger amount. This way, you can keep your future costs as low as possible.
If you decide to take out a personal loan, remember to consider as many lenders as possible to find a loan that best suits your needs. Credible makes this easy — you can compare your prequalified rates from multiple personal loan lenders in two minutes.
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Josh Patoka has contributed to the reporting of this article
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Meet the expert:
Kelly Larsen
Kelly Larsen has written and edited content that spans many personal finance topics, including buying a home, saving for retirement, and paying off student loans. She first started learning about the world of finance through her work at Finance101.com. In 2020, Kelly helped launch Paven, a financial well-being app.