5 Best Student Loans - June 2025
Highly reviewed and rated, these student loan companies can help you make your educational dreams a reality. Quickly apply and get an instant decision.
#1 on Forbes, CNBC, Money, CNN & Fund.com
- Lowest rate - starting at 3.24% APR 1
- Cover up to 100% of your school costs 2
- Flexible options for repayment
- No application, origination, or prepayment fees
- Checking rates won't affect your credit score
*Rates as of May 29, 2025
APR starting at 3.45%1
- Fixed rates 3.45% - 16.49%
- Variable rates 4.37% - 15.99%
- Lowest rates shown include 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount with auto debit payments.¹
- Multiple repayment options from in-school payments to deferred.¹ No origination fee or prepayment penalty.²
- Borrow up to 100% of school-certified expenses, whether you're online or on campus.³
- Last year, students were 4x more likely to be approved with a cosigner.⁴
1Undergraduate Loan - Fixed rates 3.45% - 16.49% APR* with auto debit discount.
No fees required
- Covers full attendance cost
- Fixed rates from 3.29% - 16.85% APR (with autopay)
- Variable rates from 4.39% to 16.85% APR (with autopay)
- Save on interest with rate discounts for autopay (0.25%), continuing scholar borrowers (0.125%), and cosigners taking a second student loan (0.25%).
- US, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands residents are eligible for student loans*
- Get a quote online in minutes
*Borrowers must attend an approved school within these areas to qualify.
Rates starting at 3.25% fixed APR (with autopay) & 4.13% variable APR (with autopay) See Terms**
- Compare rates and fees from multiple lenders without affecting your credit score
- Get prequalified in minutes
- See how adding a co-signer affects rates
- Live chat available
Student loans for undergrads, graduates, and parents
- Get approved for multi-year funding
- No application, origination, or disbursement fees
- APRs starting at 5.19% (variable) and 3.99% (fixed)
- Discounts can reduce your rate by 0.5%
Fast application and decision-making process
- Fixed APR starting at 4.45%*
- Provides customized private loan options for students
- Enjoy no early prepayment penalties
- Skip a payment once per year (once repayment period restarted)**
Capable Student Loans
- Fixed rates as low as 3.45%1 with 0.25% Auto Pay discount
- Undergraduate, career training, and graduate loans.
- Apply once to get money for the whole year.
- No origination fee or prepayment penalty2.
- More than 3,000 eligible schools.
Companies listed above are sorted by required credit score to apply, lowest to highest.
Minimum credit score to apply (for students and co-signers):
- College Ave Student Loans: 620+
- Sallie Mae: 630+
- Nelnet Bank: mid to high 600s
- SoFi: 670+
College Ave Student Loans
About College Ave:
College Ave specializes in helping students and families access funding for higher education through flexible loan options. It has built a reputation for responsive customer service and user-friendly online tools. The lender provides clear information on rates, repayment plans, and borrower protections. College Ave offers loan products for undergraduate, graduate, and parent borrowers.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of school-certified costs (tuition, fees, housing, books, and more).
- Rates
- Fixed and variable rate options available, with rates starting at 3.24% APR (with auto-pay discount).¹
- Terms
- 5, 8, 10, 15, or 20 years
- Fees
- No application, origination, or prepayment fees.
- Repayment Options
- Full deferment, interest-only payments, or flat $25/month payments while in school; Full principal and interest payments available immediately.
Cosigner Information:
Most undergraduate borrowers will need a cosigner. College Ave offers cosigner release after more than half the repayment term is complete and the borrower meets credit requirements.
Application Process:
The online application takes about 3 minutes. You can prequalify without impacting your credit score, and get an instant credit decision. A loan calculator helps estimate monthly payments based on your choices.
Best For:
College Ave is ideal for students and parents looking for customizable private loans with flexible repayment plans, competitive rates, and a quick, digital-first application experience.
Sallie Mae Student Loans
About Sallie Mae:
Sallie Mae stands out as a reputable private student loan lender, offering flexible financing solutions for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs. With competitive interest rates and a range of repayment options, Sallie Mae empowers students and their families to tackle the cost of higher education with clarity and control.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of school-certified expenses, including tuition, fees, housing, books, and supplies.
- Rates
- Fixed and variable rate options available, with rates starting at 3.45% APR.¹
- Terms
- 5 to 15 years, depending on the loan type and repayment plan selected.
- Fees
- No origination or prepayment fees.²
- Repayment Options
- Full deferment, interest-only payments, or flat $25/month payments while in school; Full principal and interest payments available immediately.
Cosigner Information:
Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may improve your chances of approval. Cosigner release is available after 12 consecutive, on-time principal and interest payments, pending credit review.
Application Process:
The application is quick and online, and you can view personalized rates and repayment options before you apply. Decisions are typically made within minutes.
Best For:
Sallie Mae is a strong choice for students and families looking for flexible loan options, competitive rates, and helpful features like cosigner release and automatic payment discounts.
SoFi Private Student Loans
About SoFi:
SoFi offers private student loans with competitive rates, no fees, and flexible repayment terms for undergraduate and graduate students. With a strong emphasis on member benefits and financial tools, SoFi supports borrowers beyond the loan, helping them achieve long-term financial success.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of school-certified expenses, including tuition, room and board, books, and other related costs.
- Rates
- Offers fixed or variable rates, plus a 0.25% discount for enrolling in autopay.¹
- Terms
- 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
- Fees
- No fees for origination, prepayment, or late payments.
- Repayment Options
- Offers multiple repayment options, including deferred, interest-only, and immediate full payments.
Cosigner Information:
Students can apply with a creditworthy cosigner to enhance approval chances. SoFi offers a cosigner release option after a specified number of on-time payments, subject to credit review.
Application Process:
The application is entirely online and can be completed in minutes. Borrowers can check their rates and terms without impacting their credit score, facilitating informed decision-making.
Best For:
SoFi is ideal for students seeking flexible private student loans with competitive rates, diverse repayment options, and added member benefits to support their financial journey.
Credible Student Loans
About Credible:
Credible is an online marketplace that allows students and families to compare private student loan offers from multiple lenders in one place. The platform provides a streamlined application process, enabling users to receive prequalified rates without impacting their credit scores.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of school-certified expenses, including tuition, housing, books, and more.
- Rates
- Fixed or variable APRs available; 0.25% rate discount with autopay enrollment.¹
- Terms
- 5, 7, 10, 15, or 20-year repayment plans based on lender offerings
- Fees
- No origination, prepayment, or late fees charged by any partner lenders.
- Repayment Options
- Select from deferred, interest-only, or immediate full payment plans during school.
Cosigner Information:
Credible's partner lenders often allow the addition of a cosigner to improve loan approval chances and potentially secure better interest rates. Some lenders offer cosigner release options after a series of on-time payments and meeting credit requirements.
Application Process:
The application process on Credible is user-friendly and quick. Users can fill out a simple form to compare prequalified rates from multiple lenders without affecting their credit scores. Once a suitable offer is selected, the borrower proceeds with the lender's application process.
Best For:
Credible is ideal for students and families seeking to efficiently compare private student loan options from various lenders, aiming to find competitive rates and terms tailored to their financial needs.
Citizens Bank Student Loans
About Citizens Bank Student Loans:
Citizens Bank provides a range of loan options for undergraduate, graduate, and parent borrowers, all supported by straightforward terms and flexible repayment plans. With a commitment to customer service and financial accessibility, Citizens Bank helps students and families navigate the cost of higher education with confidence.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of certified education costs, including tuition, housing, and other school-related expenses.
- Rates
- Offers fixed and variable rates starting at 3.49%, with a discount of up to 0.50% available.
- Terms
- 5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
- Fees
- No application, origination, or prepayment fees.
- Repayment Options
- Full deferment, interest-only, or $25/month while in school; full payments begin 6 months after graduation.
Cosigner Information:
Applying with a qualified cosigner can increase approval chances and potentially lower interest rates. Citizens allows for cosigner release after 36 consecutive on-time principal and interest payments, subject to credit and income verification.²
Application Process:
The online application is quick and user-friendly. Applicants can receive a rate quote in about 2 minutes without affecting their credit score. Citizens also offers a Multi-Year Approval feature, reducing the need to reapply each year.
Best For:
Citizens Bank student loans are ideal for students seeking a flexible private loan option with competitive rates, multiple repayment plans, and a streamlined application process.
Earnest Student Loans
Once a rapidly-growing startup with sights set on disrupting the industry through a "modern financial approach," Earnest is now owned by the student loan giant Navient Corporation. While this might not sound initially promising, it could be considered an additional selling point for student borrowers looking to fund their loans through a financially stable institution. Not only is Navient the largest student loan servicer in the nation, but they have also stated their intentions of keeping Earnest as a separate brand, still offering the same innovative loan products but now with additional financial backing.
Best student loans for international students
International students come across an additional hurdle when it comes to taking out student loans. Not only do they need to find a lender that offers loan products specifically designed for them, but they also typically need to have a co-signer that is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in order to qualify for the loan.
Earnest is one of the few lenders that does offer student loans to international students while also featuring very flexible repayment options. With a 9-month grace period, up to 12 months of forbearance and the ability to skip one payment per year, international borrowers can find a repayment plan that works best for their situation. In addition, the company doesn't charge any extra fees on top of the interest rate for borrowers, meaning no late fees, application fees or origination fees. It even provides a 0.25% interest rate discount for borrowers who sign up for automatic payments.
International students looking to borrow from Earnest will need to have a co-signer that is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, has a Social Security Number or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) and retains a physical address in the United States.
Flexible Repayment Options
Earnest continues to provide private student loans and refinancing options as well as personal loans, a newer product. Their two major selling points also remain unchanged, which are their flexible repayment terms and unique underwriting guidelines. Student borrowers who do business with the company can customize their loan terms by choosing their preferred payment plan. In addition, and unlike other online lenders, Earnest mainly caters to "financially responsible" borrowers who meet their distinctive underwriting criteria.
Competitive Loans for Responsible Borrowers
You may be wondering what exactly constitutes a responsible borrower. Well, for Earnest, responsible borrowers are those who have enough in savings to cover at least two months' worth of expenses, spend less than they earn, don't have large amounts of debt, have a good credit and repayment history, and/or are studying for a career with "strong earning potential." That also entails having at least a 650 credit score, three years of credit history, an annual income of at least $35,000, no bankruptcies on their credit report, and no credit accounts in collection.
While these factors severely limit the pool of applicants who may qualify for loans through Earnest, it also makes it easier for borrowers who do qualify to obtain streamlined financing through a full-service lender offering additional perks like:
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Quick application and approval times
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No origination, disbursement, prepayment, or late payment fees
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A 0.25% discount for enrolling in automatic payments
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The ability to skip a payment once per year
Earnest loans can also cover up to 100% of the school's cost of attendance and have a nine-month grace period, which is higher than what most online lenders typically offer. Those interested in these benefits but worried about their eligibility should also know that, unlike some online reviews point out, the company allows cosigners as long as they are also financially responsible.
Like many other student lenders, the company does require applicants to be full-time students pursuing a Bachelor's or Graduate degree from a Title IV-qualified, not-for-profit four-year college.
Educational Resources
Earnest has a resources page with relevant articles, guides, and calculators. Topics range from the most fundamental aspects of student loans to the difference between fixed and variable rates and consolidation vs. refinance. Their guides provide hands-on tips about decision making, how to pay for graduate school, and how to refinance a student loan.
One cool detail about Earnest's resources and articles is that they state how long it will take you to read them, so you can pick a topic that interests you and also have the time to finish. Lastly, the company also offers a student loan consolidation calculator and a refinance calculator, both pretty useful for students looking to make better-informed financial decisions.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback about Earnest is what sets them apart from other lenders: their unique qualification requirements. Only applicants with strong financials or the prospect of high income in the future can get approved for a loan through Earnest, and even those who apply with a cosigner are held to the same standards. Other drawbacks have to do with their student loan refinance options, mainly that refinance isn't available in every state and that they only refinance Parent Plus Loans for student borrowers (not parents).
Capable Student Loans Powered by Sallie Mae
About Capable Powered by Sallie Mae:
Capable, powered by Sallie Mae, offers a modern, streamlined application process with flexible loan options. The platform focuses on delivering transparent terms and personalized support to help students and families confidently manage education costs.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of program costs for eligible, non-degree skills training.
- Rates
- Fixed interest rates available, typically starting at 7.99% APR† (with auto-pay discount).
- Terms
- 10, 12, or 15-year terms based on loan amount
- Fees
- No application, origination, or prepayment fees.
- Repayment Options
- Full deferment, interest-only, or $25/month while in school; full principal and interest starts after graduation.
Cosigner Information:
Students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner to improve their approval chances. Cosigner release is not currently available for Capable loans.
Application Process:
The Capable application is quick and fully online. Applicants can check eligibility and receive an instant credit decision with no application fee. Program verification is typically required before funds are disbursed
Best For:
Capable is best for career changers or upskillers who want to finance short-term job training and don’t need traditional degree funding. It’s built for speed, flexibility, and focus on workforce readiness.