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What to know first: If you're searching for a graduate school loan, it's generally best to start with federal loans, as they offer flexible repayment options and you may qualify for a forgiveness program. Private student loans can fill the gap if you need extra funds, and many don’t charge origination fees. Some even offer lower rates than federal graduate student loan lenders.

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College Ave: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Multiyear Approval

4.5
Fixed APR from
3.47- 14.49%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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Sallie Mae: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Graduate Students

4.6
Fixed APR from
3.49- 14.48%
Loan term
15-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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SoFi: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner For Borrowers With Good Credit

4.8
Fixed APR from
3.54- 14.83%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

Education Loan Finance: Best for personalized student advisor

4.4
Fixed APR from
3.69- 14.22%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-Varies
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STUDENT LOAN

Custom Choice: Best for discounts

4.2
Fixed APR from
4.24- 14.02%
Loan term
7-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$180,000
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Citizens Bank: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Parents

4.6
Fixed APR from
4.24- 14.10%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
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Ascent: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Bootcamps And Vocational Programs

4.7
Fixed APR from
4.39- 14.21%
Loan term
5-20 yrs
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
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STUDENT LOAN

INvestEd: Best for Indiana-based students with good credit

Fixed APR from
4.95- 8.82%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,001- 100% cost of attendance
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Federal Student Loans: Best graduate student loan

4.4
Fixed APR from
8.08- 9.08%
Loan term
10-25 yrs
Loan amount
$1k-100% cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

MEFA: Best for low interest rate maximums

Fixed APR from
7.15- 8.95%
Loan term
15-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,500-100% cost of attendance
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How the Fed rate cuts could affect your graduate student rates

The Federal Reserve’s unexpectedly large September rate cut may be good news if you need a new graduate student loan. The Fed cut the funds rate by a half percentage point in September, then again by quarter points in November and December. Keep an eye out for lower rates on federal and private loans if you need financing for your graduate school plans.
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LENDER APR FOR GRADUATE STUDENT LOANS* LOAN TERMS MIN. LOAN AMOUNT MAX. LOAN AMOUNT
College Ave Fixed: 3.47%-14.49%; Variable: 4.54%-14.49% 5-15 years $1,000 100% total cost of attendance
ELFI Fixed: 3.69%-14.22% (with autopay); Variable: 5.00%-13.97% (with autopay) 5-15 years $1,000 Varies
Sallie Mae Fixed: 3.49%-14.48% (with autopay); Variable: 4.54%-13.98% (with autopay) 15 years $1,000 100% total cost of attendance
SoFi Fixed: 3.54%-14.83% (with autopay); Variable: 4.64%-15.86% (with autopay) 5-15 years $1,000 100% total cost of attendance
Citizens Bank Fixed: 4.24%-14.10% (with autopay); Variable: 4.98%-14.09% (with autopay) 5-15 years $1,000 $225,000
Custom Choice Fixed: 4.24%-14.02% (with autopay); Variable: 4.45%-14.08% (with autopay) 7-15 years $1,000 $180,000
INvestEd Fixed: 4.95%-8.82% (with autopay); Variable: 7.15%-11.20% (with autopay) 5-15 years $1,001 100% total cost of attendance
Ascent Fixed: 4.39%-14.21% (with autopay); Variable: 6.94%-14.10% (with autopay) 5-20 years $2,001 $400,000
MEFA Fixed: 7.15%-8.95% (with autopay) Fixed: 15 $1,500 years 100% total cost of attendance
U.S. Department of Education: Direct Unsubsidized Loan 8.08% fixed 10-25 years Not specified $20,500 per year (lifetime limit $138,500)
U.S. Department of Education: Grad PLUS loan 9.08% fixed 10-25 years Not specified 100% total cost of attendance

College Ave
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Fixed APR
3.47%–14.49%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Education Loan Finance
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Fixed APR
3.69%–14.22%
Loan amount
$1,000-Varies
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Sallie Mae
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Fixed APR
3.49%–14.48%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
15-15 yrs

SoFi
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Fixed APR
3.54%–14.83%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Citizens
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Fixed APR
4.24%–14.10%
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Custom Choice
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Fixed APR
4.24%–14.02%
Loan amount
$1,000-$180,000
Loan term
7-15 yrs

Invested
Fixed APR
4.95%–8.82%
Loan amount
$1,001- 100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs

Ascent
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Fixed APR
4.39%–14.21%
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
Loan term
5-20 yrs

mefa
Fixed APR
7.15%–8.95%
Loan amount
$1,500-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
15-15 yrs

Federal Student Loans
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
Fixed APR
8.08%–9.08%
Loan amount
$1k-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
10-25 yrs
Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Flexible repayment options, including income-driven repayment plans
  • Rates are the same regardless of credit score
  • Borrower benefits, including deferment, forgiveness programs and forbearance options
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Origination fees typically charged
  • Potential for garnishment of wages or tax refunds if in default
  • Higher rates than excellent credit private student loan lenders
Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Zero origination or application fees with many lenders
  • Usually fixed and variable interest rates are available
  • High loan limits
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Less hardship flexibility
  • Income-driven repayment not typically available
  • Harder to qualify with poor credit
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BANKRATE EXPERT FAQ

Ask the experts: Should you look for graduate loans designed specifically for your major?


Writer, Personal Loans and Debt Relief

"For most graduate programs, it doesn't really matter if your student loan is made specifically for your field of study. But there are instances where it could be helpful. For example, medical loans or law school loans may offer forbearance or deferment periods for resident programs. If you're going into a career path that has unique equipment requirements, it may be better to look into major-specific loans. Otherwise, the necessary equipment and learning materials required for your field of study may not be approved with a generic graduate loan."

Nationally recognized student financial aid expert

"The primary difference between private student loans for a specific academic major and other private student loans is in the loan limit. The loan limit may be matched to the typical cost of attendance for that major. You should also consider interest rates, fees, in-school deferment or forbearance periods, grace periods and repayment plans."

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