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Best student loan rates in July 2024

Jul 22, 2024
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A student loan is a type of funding designed to cover college costs such as tuition, fees, books, supplies and housing. In the United States, 42 million borrowers currently hold more than $1.7 trillion in student debt. Even though it’s a common form of debt, choosing the right loan for your needs is a big decision. 

Bankrate’s ranking of the best student loan lenders analyzes interest rates, terms and features to help you start your search. It’s also a resource for what to know before applying. Our methodology factors three main categories: availability, affordability and customer experience.

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Filters
Fixed APR from

3.79- 15.41%

Loan amount

$2k- No Max

Fixed APR from

3.99- 17.99%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

4.15- 15.49%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

4.24- 15.61%

Loan amount

$1k- $350K

Fixed APR from

4.24- 14.01%

Loan amount

$1k- $100K

Fixed APR from

4.24- 15.47%

Loan amount

$1k- $500K

Fixed APR from

4.50- 14.22%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

4.80- 8.54%

Loan amount

$1k- No Max

Fixed APR from

5.75- 8.95%

Loan amount

$2k- No Max

Lender conversion and compensation impacts how, where and in what order products appear in the above table

Compare student loan rates from Bankrate’s top picks

When shopping for a student loan, look for a competitive interest rate, flexible repayment terms that meet your needs, generous hardship options and minimal fees. Lender details presented here are current as of July 2, 2024. Check the lenders’ websites for updates. 

LENDER VARIABLE APR FIXED APR LOAN TERM LOAN AMOUNT MIN. CREDIT SCORE
College Ave 5.59%-17.99% (with Autopay) 4.22%-17.99% (with Autopay) 5-15 years $1,000-100% total cost of attendance (maximum $150,000 for some degrees) Not specified
Ascent 5.99%-15.85% (with autopay) 3.79%-15.41% (with autopay) 5-20 years $2,001-$400,000 Not specified
Custom Choice 5.44%-14.91% 4.42%-14.01% 7 - 15 years $1,000-$180,000 Not Specified
Sallie Mae 5.37%-15.70% (with autopay) 4.15%-15.49% (with autopay) 10-15 years $1,000-100% total cost of attendance Not specified
INvestED 7.25%-11.79% (with autopay) 4.80%-8.54% (with autopay) 5-15 years $1,001-100% total cost of attendance 670
MEFA N/A 5.75%-8.95% 10-15 years $1,500-100% total cost of attendance Not specified
Citizens Bank 5.99%-16.61% (with autopay) 4.24%-15.61% (with autopay) 5-15 years $1,000-$350,000 depending on program Not specified
Education Loan Finance 6.00%-14.22% 4.50%-14.22% $1,000- Not Specified
Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans N/A 6.53%-8.08% Fixed 10-25 years $5,500 to $12,500 per year (up to $57,500 aggregate) None
Earnest 5.62%-16.85% (with autopay) 4.17%-16.49% (with autopay) 5-15 years $1,000-100% total cost of attendance 650
SoFi 5.74%-15.86% (with autopay) 4.19%-14.83% (with autopay) 5-15 years $1,000-100% total cost of attendance 640

For more information on private student loan rates, check out our page on private student loans.

*The minimum amount is $2,001 except for the state of Massachusetts. Minimum loan amount for borrowers with a Massachusetts permanent address is $6,001.

A closer look at our top student loan lenders

The top lenders listed below are selected based on factors such as APR, loan amounts, fees, credit requirements and broad availability.

Ascent: 2024 Bankrate Awards winner for best student loan for bootcamps and vocational programs

Min. credit score:
Not disclosed
Fixed APR From:
3.79% –15.41%
Loan amount:
$2,001– $400,000
Term lengths:
5 to 20 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed
Overview: Ascent offers undergraduate and graduate private student loans in all 50 states. Borrowers without a co-signer have their own loan option, which is a rarity in the private student loan space. If you don’t have a co-signer, you may be able to qualify for a loan based on your school, graduation date, major and cost of attendance. The lender also offers a longer-than-average period of forbearance, which is a hardship program that allows you to temporarily stop making payments.

Why Ascent is best for students without a co-signer: Ascent is one of the only lenders to give undergraduates the chance to qualify for a student loan based on future income rather than credit score, removing the need for a co-signer.

Best student loan for multiyear approval

Min. credit score:
720
Fixed APR From:
4.24% –15.61%
Loan amount:
$1,000– $350,000
Term lengths:
5 to 15 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed
Overview: Citizens Bank offers private student loans to undergraduate students, graduate students and parents. Citizens Bank will run a hard credit inquiry when you apply and will let you know if you qualify for the multiyear loan program. If approved, you can request funds in subsequent years without supplying additional income documentation or going through hard credit checks, so the process is faster. 

Why Citizens Bank is best for multiyear approval: Borrowers can get approved for multiple years of student loans without needing to go through a hard credit check every time, which is convenient if you know that you'll need funding every year.

Best student loan for quick application process

Min. credit score:
Not disclosed
Fixed APR From:
4.22% –17.99%
Loan amount:
$1,000– $500,000
Term lengths:
5 to 15 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed
Overview: College Ave is an online lender that offers private student loans to undergraduate students, graduate students, parents and students attending community college and career programs.

Why College Ave is best for a quick application process: College Ave has a simple online application that only takes a few minutes to complete, and borrowers can accept terms and e-sign documents immediately after approval.

Earnest: 2024 Bankrate Awards winner for best student loan for parents

Min. credit score:
650
Fixed APR From:
4.17% –16.49%
Loan amount:
$1,000– $500,000
Term lengths:
5 to 15 years
Min. annual income:
$35,000
Overview: Earnest is an online lender that funds private student loans to undergraduate and graduate students and offers unique repayment options. Earnest's grace period is nine months long, which is three months longer than what most lenders offer. Borrowers are also allowed to skip one payment every 12 months.

Why Earnest is best for flexible repayment terms: Borrowers can pick their loan term, which ranges between five and 20 years. Plus, once every 12 months, borrowers can choose to postpone a payment.

SoFi: 2024 Bankrate Awards winner for best student loan for borrowers with good credit

Min. credit score:
640
Fixed APR From:
4.19% –14.83%
Loan amount:
$1,000– $500,000
Term lengths:
5 to 20 years
Min. annual income:
Not disclosed
Overview: SoFi is an online lender that offers private student loans for undergraduate students, graduate students and parents. Among its perks, SoFi says that it doesn’t charge any fees, which cuts down on the overall cost of borrowing.

Why SoFi is best for no fees: It's standard for lenders to charge late fees or nonsufficient funds fees, but SoFi does away with even these fees. Of course, it's still not a good idea to miss payments, but SoFi's no-fee policy provides a nice buffer.

What are student loans and how do they work?

Student loans cover the cost of schooling if scholarships and federal loans are not enough. 

How do student loans work?

Students can choose federal or private student loans to help pay for school. 

They can cover school-related expenses such as, tuition, fees, supplies, housing and books. It’s usually best to start with federal student loans, which have an interest rate of 6.53 percent for undergraduate students for the 2024-25 school year. 

Private student loans have fewer borrower protections. However they can fill in any funding gaps and typically have a wider range of repayment terms. Private student loan rates typically range anywhere from around 4 percent to 18 percent. 

Your lender sets the interest rate you pay to borrow the funds. You typically have between five and 20 years to repay student loans. If your lender offers the option to prequalify, take advantage — it will let you calculate your student loan interest and payments to understand how much you will spend.

Types of student loans

Students have several options for student loan types depending on their degree program:

  • Federal undergraduate loans: U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens can qualify for federal student loans, regardless of credit score or whether they have a co-signer. Undergraduates may have the option of Direct Unsubsidized Loans or Direct Subsidized Loans, the latter of which is offered only to students with financial need.
  • Federal graduate loans: Graduate students can qualify for federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans or Direct PLUS Loans. Unsubsidized loans are cheaper, but PLUS Loans have higher loan amounts.
  • Private undergraduate loans: Borrowers who have taken out the maximum in federal student loans may choose to look for private student loans. In many cases, these loans may also be the only viable option for international students looking to study in the U.S., since these students don't qualify for federal aid.
  • Private graduate loans: Many private lenders offer loans for graduate study, including loans tailored to students attending law school, business school, medical school and more.
  • Student loan refinancing: If you took out a student loan in the past but want to change your repayment term or interest rate, you may choose to refinance. Refinancing pays off your old loans in exchange for a new loan.

Federal vs. private student loans

Federal student loans are offered by the U.S. Department of Education, while banks, credit unions and private lenders offer private student loans. It's almost always best to start your search with federal student loans.

The biggest difference between federal and private loans is in the rates and eligibility requirements. Private lenders base your rates on your credit score, with a poor credit score leading to higher rates. 

Federal student loans, on the other hand, offer every borrower the same rate for each type of loan. The average interest rate on a private student loan can range from around 4 percent to 17 percent, while federal loans charge 6.53 percent, 8.08 percent or 9.08 percent, depending on the loan type.

Federal loans have borrowing limits, so borrowers will often turn to private lenders to finance their remaining academic costs. While private loans can often finance up to the total cost of attendance, they don't offer as many ways to customize your repayment plan. 

Most private student loans also don't offer many opportunities for loan forgiveness. Any federal student loan forgiveness options don't apply to private debt.

FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS PRIVATE STUDENT LOANS
Interest rates 6.53%-9.08% for 2024-25 4.19%-17.99% fixed, 4.37%-17.99% variable
Fees 1.057% for for Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans; 4.228% for Direct PLUS Loans Varies by lender
Borrowing limits $31,000 total for dependent undergraduates, $57,500 total for independent undergraduates, 100% total cost of attendance for graduates 100% total cost of attendance with many lenders
Qualification requirements Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen and be enrolled at least half time Varies by lender; often must have good credit and consistent income
Benefits Income-driven repayment plans, robust deferment and forbearance, no minimum credit score Low interest rates for good-credit borrowers, often zero fees, lender-specific perks
Drawbacks Potentially higher interest rates than private loans offer for borrowers with good credit, loan amount caps for undergraduate borrowers Credit check required, high rate caps, fewer borrower protections

What are current student loan interest rates?

Current interest rates on private student loans vary based on where the loan originates, the type of interest rate and the creditworthiness of the borrower. Federal student loans, aside from Perkins loans, disbursed after July 1, 2006 have fixed rates. The interest rates shown for these types of loans apply to those disbursed between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.

LOAN TYPE FIXED APR
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans (undergraduate borrowers) 6.53%
Direct Unsubsidized Loans (graduate and professional borrowers) 8.08%
Direct PLUS Loans (parents and graduate and professional borrowers) 9.08%

What are interest rates for federal student loans?

Federal student loan rates change each year. Your rate depends on when you took out your loan.

LOAN FIRST DISBURSED UNDERGRADUATE DIRECT SUBSIDIZED LOANS UNDERGRADUATE DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS GRADUATE OR PROFESSIONAL DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED LOANS DIRECT PLUS LOANS
July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025 6.53% 6.53% 8.08% 9.08%
July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 5.50% 5.50% 7.05% 8.05%
July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023 4.99% 4.99% 6.54% 7.54%
July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022 3.73% 3.73% 5.28% 6.28%
July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021 2.75% 2.75% 4.30% 5.30%
July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020 4.53% 4.53% 6.08% 7.08%
July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019 5.05% 5.05% 6.60% 7.60%
July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018 4.45% 4.45% 6.00% 7.00%
July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017 3.76% 3.76% 5.31% 6.31%
July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016 4.29% 4.29% 5.84% 6.84%

How student loan interest works

When you apply for a student loan, you'll be offered an interest rate. This interest rate is an extra percentage of your loan amount that you'll have to pay each month.

With federal loans, this rate is the same for all borrowers and is determined by the federal government each year. With private loans, this rate is determined by your credit score, income and more. The most affordable private student loans go to students in good financial health with high credit scores.

Borrowers can usually choose between a fixed and a variable interest rate. Fixed interest rates remain the same over the life of the loan, while variable rates change based on market trends. Federal student loans are always fixed, while private student loans can be either fixed or variable.

Student loan news updates

Following the pandemic-related pause, federal student loans began accumulating interest again on Sept. 1, 2023 and payments resumed in October. 

Early in his presidency, Biden revealed a sweeping student loan forgiveness plan. This original student loan forgiveness plan was rejected by the Supreme Court, but the Biden administration continues to pursue forgiveness options.

Currently, the Biden administration is working with the U.S. Department of Education on a plan that would provide the following

  • Up to $10,000 in relief to borrowers whose federal student loan debt balance has grown due to interest.
  • One-time loan forgiveness to undergraduate-only borrowers whose loans entered repayment 20 or more years ago and any other borrowers whose loans entered repayment 25 or more years ago. 
  • Benefits to borrowers who are eligible but have not signed up for forgiveness under various federal plans, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
  • Further relief to borrowers whose schools were shuttered or otherwise penalized by the department for leaving students with unaffordable debts or providing a subpar value.

Additionally, the administration has worked to reform and improve federal programs such as PSLF to provide overdue relief to borrowers, as well as forgive the loans of borrowers whose schools have shuttered. 

Bankrate's image file
In the news

Appeals judge rules student loan payment cuts can proceed

In late June, two federal judges placed temporary injunctions on forgiveness through the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE). However, a July 1 appeals court decision means planned payment reductions can proceed.

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How the Fed rate hikes impact student loans

In an attempt to cool inflation, the Federal Reserve raised rates 11 times from early 2022 to late 2023. Observers say a final hike is unlikely. The Federal Open Market committee has kept rates steady at seven meetings since then, including the most recent June FOMC meeting.

While the Fed decisions won’t impact federal student loans for the 2023-24 school year — those are already set in stone — they could impact new private student loans and refinancing. They also impact the rates on Federal student loans for the 2024-25 school year. 

The Fed rate has the biggest influence for borrowers with private student loans with a variable interest rate. If you have an existing loan, now might be the time to refinance into a fixed rate. If you’re taking out a new private student loan, it may be wise to choose a fixed rate from the start.

What to know about the FAFSA

The FAFSA is the only way to get federal student loans, which is why all eligible students should fill out the form if they anticipate needing to borrow money for college.

  • When does the FAFSA open? The FAFSA opens on Oct. 1 every year. For the 2024-25 school year, the FAFSA opened on Oct. 1, 2023.
  • When is the FAFSA due? The federal deadline for the FAFSA is June 30 for the award year you need funding. For the 2024-25 school year, the FAFSA is due on June 30, 2025. However, some states and colleges have earlier deadlines.
  • Who is eligible to apply for the FAFSA? U.S. citizens, eligible noncitizens and DACA recipients can fill out the FAFSA. However, only U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens can receive federal financial aid.

What happens if you make a mistake on your FAFSA? If you've experienced a serious financial event since submitting the FAFSA or your personal details have changed, you are able to update your FAFSA after the fact.

FAQ about student loans

How we chose the best student loan providers 

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

57

years in business

25

lenders reviewed

14

loan features weighed

350

data points collected

To find the best student loan lenders, Bankrate's team of experts evaluated over 20 lenders. Each lender was then rated on a 14-point scale. The scale is split into three main categories

Editorial disclosure: All reviews are prepared by Bankrate.com staff. Opinions expressed therein are solely those of the reviewer and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including rates and fees, presented in the review is accurate as of the date of the review. Check the data at the top of this page and the lender’s website for the most current information.