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For students who have hit their federal borrowing limits, private student loans can provide another source of funding for college. Rates on private student loans depend on factors including the borrower or cosigners’ credit score, so it’s important to compare lenders. Here are the latest trends in private student loan interest rates from the Credible marketplace, updated monthly.
The chart above shows average prequalified rates for borrowers with credit scores of 720 or higher who used the Credible marketplace to select a lender. The chart shows monthly rates for the last 3 years.
During October 2020:
- Rates on 10-year fixed-rate student loans averaged 6.65%, up from a 6.53% in September, and 6.11% a year ago.
- Initial rates on 5-year variable-rate student loans averaged 4.71%, up from 3.26% in September, but down from 6.42% a year ago.
Current private student loan interest rates by credit score
If you qualify for a private student loan, the interest rate you may be offered can depend on factors like you or your cosigner’s credit score, the type of loan you’re seeking (fixed or variable rate), and the loan repayment term.
The chart above shows that a good credit score can help you get a lower rate, and that rates are often lower on cosigned loans. Rates tend to be higher on loans with fixed interest rates and longer repayment terms. Because lenders all have their own methods of evaluating borrowers, it’s a good idea to request private student loan rates from multiple lenders so you can compare your options.
Through Credible, you can compare rates from the lenders below without affecting your credit score.
| Lender | Fixed Rates From (APR)
| Variable Rates From (APR) |
View details | 3.58%+ | 2.69%+ |
- Fixed rates from (APR): 3.58%+
- Variable rates from (APR): 2.69%+
- Loan terms (years): 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20 (depending on loan type)
- Loan amount: $1,000 - $200,000
- Repayment options: Full deferral, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
- Fees: None
- Discounts: 0.25% to 2.00% automatic payment discount, 1% cash back graduation reward
- Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum 2.9 GPA.
- Customer service: Email, phone
- Soft credit check: Yes
- Min. credit score: 600
- Cosigner release: After 24 months
- Loan servicer: University Account Service (UAS)
Ascent student loans review |
View details | 4.25%+1 | 1.23%+1 |
- Fixed rates from (APR): 4.25%+1
- Variable rates from (APR): 1.23%+1
- Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15
- Loan amount: $1,000 - $350,000 (depending on degree)
- Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, military deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
- Fees: Late fee
- Discounts: Autopay, loyalty
- Eligibility: Available in all 50 states (international students can apply with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner)
- Customer service: Email, phone, chat
- Soft credit check: Yes
- Min. credit score: 720
- Cosigner release: After 36 months
- Loan servicer: Firstmark Services
Citizens Bank student loans review |
View details | 3.49%+2,3
| 1.09%+2,3 |
- Fixed rates from (APR): 3.49%+2,3
- Variable rates from (APR): 1.09%+2,3
- Loan terms (years): 5, 8, 10, 15
- Loan amount: $1,000 up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance
- Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
- Fees: Late fee
- Discounts: Autopay
- Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress.
- Customer service: Email, phone
- Soft credit check: Yes
- Min. credit score: Does not disclose
- Cosigner release: After 24 months
- Loan servicer: University Accounting Service LLC
College Ave student loans review
|
View details | 4.09%+7 | 2.02%+7 |
- Fixed rates from (APR): 4.09%+7
- Variable rates from (APR): 2.02%+7
- Loan terms (years): 7, 10, 15
- Loan amount: $1,000 - $200,000
- Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, loans discharged upon death or disability
- Fees: Late fee
- Discounts: Autopay
- Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum income of $30,000.
- Customer service: Email, phone
- Soft credit check: Yes
- Min. credit score: 750
- Cosigner release: After 36 months
- Loan servicer: Granite State Management & Resources (GSM&R)
EDvestinU student loans review
|
View details | 4.09%+8 | 1.92%+8 |
- Fixed rates from (APR): 4.09%+8
- Variable rates from (APR): 1.92%+8
- Loan terms (years): 5, 10, 15
- Loan amount: $1,001 up to 100% of school certified cost of attendance
- Repayment options: Full deferral, full monthly payment, interest only, immediate repayment, academic deferment, forbearance
- Fees: Late fee
- Discounts: Autopay, reward for on-time graduation
- Eligibility: Must be an Indiana resident or a U.S. citizen attending an eligible Indiana school
- Customer service: Email, phone, chat
- Soft credit check: Yes
- Min. credit score: 670
- Cosigner release: After 48 months
- Loan servicer: American Education Services
INvestEd student loans review
|
View details | 3.75%+ | N/A |
- Fixed rates from (APR): 3.75%+
- Variable rates from (APR): N/A
- Loan terms (years): 10, 15
- Loan amount: $1,500 or $2,000 up to school’s certified cost of attendance (depending on school type and minus other aid received)
- Repayment options: Full deferral, interest only, immediate repayment
- Fees: None
- Discounts: None
- Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be making satisfactory academic progress.
- Customer service: Email, phone
- Soft credit check: Yes
- Min. credit score: 670
- Cosigner release: After 48 months
- Loan servicer: American Education Services (AES)
MEFA student loans review
|
View details | 4.25% - 12.35%9 | 1.25% - 11.10%9 |
- Fixed rates from (APR): 4.25% - 12.35%9
- Variable rates from (APR): 1.25% - 11.10%9
- Loan terms (years): 5, 15
- Loan amount: Up to 100% of the school-certified cost of attendance
- Repayment options: Full deferral, fixed/flat repayment, interest only, academic deferment, forbearance, loans discharged upon death or disability
- Fees: Late fee
- Discounts: Autopay
- Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Also available to non-U.S. citizen students (including DACA students) attending a school located in the U.S. who apply with a qualifying cosigner.
- Customer service: Phone
- Soft credit check: Yes
- Min. credit score: Does not disclose
- Cosigner release: After 12 months
- Loan servicer: Sallie Mae
Sallie Mae student loans review
|
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Lowest APRs reflect autopay, loyalty, and interest-only repayment discounts where available | 1Citizens Bank Disclosures | 2,3College Ave Disclosures | 7EDvestinU Disclosures | 8INvestEd Disclosures | 9Sallie Mae Disclosures |
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About the author
Matt Carter
Matt Carter is a Credible expert on student loans. Analysis pieces he’s contributed to have been featured by CNBC, CNN Money, USA Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.
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