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Student Loans

Learn more about how student loans work & best practices for managing them, see our top picks for new student loans & student loan refinancing, and find reviews of the top lenders in the industry.

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July 2025 Lenders and Rates Overview

Best Overall
Fixed APR
4.13% – 17.99%
Variable APR
4.13% – 17.99%
Funding
$1K – total costs
Min. Credit Score
Mid-650s
5.0
Best for Fast Cosigner Release
Fixed APR
4.13% – 17.99%
Variable APR
4.13% – 17.99%
Funding
$1K – total costs
Min. Credit Score
Mid-650s
4.8
Best Repayment Perks
Fixed APR
4.13%17.99%
Variable APR
4.13%17.99%
Funding
$1K – total costs
Min. Credit Score
650
4.7
Best for Graduate Students
Fixed APR
4.13%17.99%
Variable APR
4.13%17.99%
Funding
$1K – total costs
Min. Credit Score
679
4.7
Great for Multi-Year Approval
Fixed APR
5.25% – 12.19%
Variable APR
5.97% – 12.42%
Funding
$1K – $100K
Min. Credit Score
640
4.7
Best for High Academic Performers
Fixed APR
7.49%12.99%
Variable APR
Funding
$3K – $20K
Min. Credit Score
None
4.7
Best for International Students
Fixed APR
13.98%+
Variable APR
Funding
$2K – $100K
Min. Credit Score
None
4.6
Best for Customer Service
Fixed APR
3.69%14.22%
Variable APR
5.00%14.22%
Funding
$1K – total costs
Min. Credit Score
680
4.5
Best for Texas Students
Fixed APR
2.71%7.38%
Variable APR
4.32%+
Funding
$1K – total costs
Min. Credit Score
680
4.4
Best for Bad Credit
Fixed APR
3.39%14.46%
Variable APR
4.70%14.26%
Funding
$2K – $200K
Min. Credit Score
None
4.4
Great for Principal Reduction
Fixed APR
3.49%14.04%
Variable APR
4.42%14.07%
Funding
$1K – $100K
Min. Credit Score
Not disclosed
4.3
Best Marketplace
Fixed APR
4.39% – 10.39%
Variable APR
5.84% – 10.37%
Funding
$1K – total costs
Min. Credit Score
680
4.2
Best for No Cosigners
Fixed APR
% of income
Variable APR
N/A
Funding
$5K – $25K
Min. Credit Score
None
3.9
Great for Discounts
Fixed APR
6.69% – 13.89%
Variable APR
8.44% – 15.64%
Funding
Not disclosed
Min. Credit Score
Not disclosed
3.6
Great for Military Families
Fixed APR
5.50%+
Variable APR
7.79%+
Funding
Not disclosed
Min. Credit Score
None
3.5

Types of student loans

Take out student loansRepay student loans
Best Private Student LoansBest Student Loan Refinance
Federal Student LoansStudent Loan Repayment

The federal government, state agencies, and private lenders offer student loans to cover education costs. These loans can be made for specific borrowers to accommodate unique financing needs. With so many types of student loans available, it’s essential to focus on lenders that offer the loan you need.

Student loan uses

Most student loans are disbursed to your school, which then send leftover funds to you. Use this extra money to pay for other education expenses.

Student loan reviews

If you’re considering several companies for your student loan needs, giving each a proper review before deciding which to apply with is essential. Check out our reviews to see which company offers what you need.

All-in-one guides

The following resources are excellent choices for comprehensive guides to specific topics.

Student loan data, statistics, and calculators

Because the student loan industry has changed in recent years, it’s critical to stay informed about general trends and statistics. This information can help you make informed decisions and better manage your student loans.

Latest on student loans:

Student Loan Interest Rates by Year

If you’re a student or parent researching how student loan interest rates have changed, you’re likely preparing to take out a loan or...

9 Reasons Your Student Loan Payment Increased (and What to Do About It)

Noticed your student loan payment went up and not sure why? You’re not alone. A...

Can You Make Principal-Only Payments on Student Loans?

When you make minimum monthly payments on your student loans, a portion goes toward the...

How Student Loans Affect Your Retirement

Retirement may be years away, but it’s never too soon to start planning for it. If you borrowed money to pay for college...

What to Do If Your Student Loans Were Sold to Another Company

If you’ve borrowed student loans to pay for college, your loan may be transferred or...

Do Student Loans Have Compound or Simple Interest?

If you take out student loans to pay for school, you’ll pay interest on what...

How a Missed Student Loan Payment Affects You

Missed student loan payments happen, but it doesn’t need to be the end of the world. The specific consequences you’ll face—and your options...

Do Student Loans Expire? Statute of Limitations, Forgiveness Timelines, and Default Rules

Student loans can feel like they follow you forever—and in some cases, they actually do....

How to Read Your Student Loan Statement

If you’ve gotten your first student loan statement, you may feel overwhelmed by all the details.  The format for a student loan statement...

How the 401(k) Student Loan Match Works

In the past, many employees have had to choose between saving for retirement or making student loan payments. Because student loans often have...