What Is the Maximum Personal Loan Amount You Can Get?

The maximum personal loan amount you can get depends on the lender itself and your own financial ability.

On the lender side, we found a few companies offering a maximum personal loan amount of $200,000, although $50,000 to $100,000 is more typical. But just because a lender theoretically allows borrowers to take that much out doesn’t mean you’ll qualify for that amount. Instead, each lender will weigh factors, such as your income, credit score, and other debt payments, to decide what your specific maximum personal loan amount is.

Table of Contents

1. How large of a personal loan can I get?
2. What affects how much you can get for a personal loan?
3. Should you take out the maximum personal loan amount?
4. Alternatives if you don’t qualify for a large personal loan

How large of a personal loan can I get?

As more purchases seem to be getting more expensive, it’s fueling a rise in personal loan balances. The average personal loan borrower was paying off a balance of $11,652 by late 2024, according to one TransUnion report—a 3% bump from the prior year.

But depending on your lender, you may be able to borrow far more than that—up to $200,000 if you have excellent borrower credentials (more on that later). 

Here’s a quick survey of the personal loan limits across many of today’s most popular lenders:

Lender	Loan amounts
Credible	$1,000 – $200,000
SoFi	$5,000 – $100,000
Upgrade	$1,000 – $50,000
Best Egg	$2,000 – $50,000
Upstart	$1,000 – $50,000
Happy Money	$5,000 – $40,000
LightStream	$5,000 – $100,000
Splash Financial	$1,000 – $100,000
Wells Fargo	$3,000 – $100,000
Earnest	$1,000 – $100,000
USAA	$1,000 – $100,000

Personal loans are among the most common types of loans lenders offer, and hundreds of options are available nationwide. 

The maximum personal loan amount can be even higher with specific lenders, such as First Eagle Bank and BHG Financial, both of which offer personal loans of $200,000 or more.

Tip

If you have good credit, check out SoFi. It’s our favorite for those with FICO credit scores of 670 and better because of its no-fee policy, competitive rates, and member benefits.

What affects how much you can get for a personal loan?

You can find a lender that offers an extra-large loan amount, but qualifying for it can be difficult. Lenders want to make sure they’re repaid, after all, which means they’re usually extra-diligent in vetting applicants before handing out the maximum personal loan amount in cash. 

Here’s what they’ll look for:

Income

Lenders typically ask for proof of your income when you apply for a personal loan, such as your past tax returns or pay stubs. In addition to how much you earn, they’re also checking how consistent your income is. 

If you earn a high income month after month, you’ll have an easier time qualifying for the maximum personal loan amount than someone who earns the same amount in bits and spurts over time. 

Credit score

You’ll need an excellent credit score to get approved for a larger loan with most lenders. It’s safe to say that an 800-plus credit score gives you a better chance of getting approved, but the truth is that it varies by lender. 

It’s possible to get approved for a personal loan with a much lower credit score, but you might pay higher interest rates or only be approved for a smaller personal loan amount—or both. 

Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)

Earning a high income is helpful, but—as everyone knows—sometimes, more money leads to more problems, especially when it comes to debt. 

Most personal loan lenders also check the minimum payments on your other debts so they know how much you have left over to make your payments on the new loan. 

This number is known as your debt-to-income ratio, which is the percentage of your monthly income that goes toward your other debt payments. Most lenders look for a DTI of 36% or less for personal loan borrowers; the lower, the better. 

Cosigners

Sometimes, we can’t qualify for the best personal loans on our own terms. That’s where bringing someone else in can help. A cosigner is someone (typically a good friend or relative) who agrees to sign their name on the loan, too, and repay it for you in the event you default on it.

Cosigners are more common with student loans, but some lenders allow personal loan cosigners, too. Asking someone to be your cosigner is a major responsibility since your actions can harm them, too, so make sure you’re diligent in repaying your personal loan.   

Collateral

People aren’t the only way you can back up your ability to pay—you can pledge your valuables, too. Occasionally, some personal loan lenders will allow you to pledge e a vehicle or your existing savings as collateral for a personal loan in exchange for better approval odds and/or lower rates. 

Be aware that if you default, your lender can take ownership of that item. 

These personal loans blur the line between true personal loans, which are unsecured (i.e., without any collateral), and secured loans, such as home equity loans, auto loans, or RV loans. If you have the ability, it’s worth considering these options too.

Tip

If a secured personal loan makes sense in your situation, Best Egg is our favorite lender for this purpose. The fixtures in your home act as collateral for a Best Egg secured loan.

Loan purpose

Personal loans are the catch-all of the debt world. You can use them for almost anything, aside from education, buying a home, and a couple of other specific purposes. 

Even so, some lenders offer special rates or terms for specific uses, especially when it comes to debt consolidation or paying for home improvement projects. It’s worth shopping around for better terms if you’re using your loan for these types of purposes. 

Should you take out the maximum personal loan amount?

Two of the most important questions to ask yourself before taking out a high-dollar personal loan are:

1. Why do I need such a large loan?
2. Can I afford to make the payments?

These are important questions to ask for any loan, especially when you’re talking about such a large sum.

When I help clients decide if they should borrow the maximum personal loan amount they qualify for, we evaluate the interest rate and loan term to accurately assess the cost of borrowing. This process encourages a discussion about whether the funds are truly necessary, how much is needed, and whether the expense could be managed through cash-flow planning instead. If a lump sum is required immediately but the full approved amount isn’t necessary, I advise against taking the entire loan, as it can lead to unnecessary costs, higher payments, and an extended repayment term.

First, consider your reasons for needing the money. If you’re building a new addition to your home to house your growing family, for example, consider whether a home equity loan might work better. They often feature lower rates and longer term lengths, which could save you money in the long run.

Next, use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments. Review your budget to ensure you can afford these payments with plenty of room left for emergencies and other expenses. For example, a $100,000, 12-year loan with an 8.99% interest rate has a monthly payment of $1,137. 

Alternatives if you don’t qualify for a large personal loan

If a personal loan doesn’t offer the amount you need, consider these alternatives.

If the required amount is substantial, interest rates tend to be more favorable, and the benefits of a business loan may outweigh those of a personal loan.

Home equity line of credit (HELOC)

Borrow up to 85% of your home’s equity, typically between $10,000 and $500,000. A HELOC works like a credit card, allowing you to withdraw funds as needed. It usually has lower interest rates than personal loans, but the variable rates can increase over time, and your home is at risk if you fail to make payments.

Check out our highest-rated HELOC lenders.

Home equity loan

With a home equity loan, you can get a lump sum of up to 85% of your home’s value, usually between $10,000 and $500,000. This option provides a fixed interest rate and predictable payments, making budgeting easier. However, since your home is used as collateral, you risk foreclosure if you default.

See our list of the best home equity loans.

Cash-out refinance

Replace your current mortgage with a larger one and take the difference in cash, typically up to 80% of your home’s value, with loan amounts often between $50,000 and $500,000—or more. This can offer lower interest rates than personal loans, but it increases your mortgage debt and may come with high closing costs.

View the best cash-out refinance lenders our team has selected.

Business loans

If the funds are for business purposes, you may qualify for an SBA loan of up to $5 million or other business loans ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 and up. Business loans often have lower rates and longer repayment terms than personal loans, but they typically require business income, a solid credit history, or collateral.

See the highest-rated small business loans.

401(k) loans

Borrow up to 50% of your vested 401(k) balance, with a maximum of $50,000. These loans don’t require a credit check, and the interest is paid back to your own retirement account. However, failing to repay could trigger taxes and penalties, and borrowing reduces your retirement savings.

Read More

HELOC vs. 401(k) Loan: Which Is Better? 

Secured personal loans

Use assets such as a car, savings, or investments as collateral to qualify for a larger loan, often up to $100,000. This option can offer lower interest rates and higher approval odds, but you risk losing your asset if you fail to repay. These are the best secured personal loans.