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Best student loan rates in March 2025

Updated Mar 19, 2025

What to know first: The best student loan rates vary depending on whether you're taking out federal or private student loans. Student loan funds are designed to cover college costs such as tuition, fees, books, supplies and housing. Rates for federal loans are set by Congress once a year and currently range between 6.53 percent and 9.08 percent, depending on your degree type and financial need. Private student loan rates range between about 3.39 percent and 17.99 percent based on your credit score, your cosigner's creditworthiness and type of education.

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Ascent: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Bootcamps And Vocational Programs

4.7
Fixed APR from
3.39- 16.11%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
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College Ave: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Multiyear Approval

4.5
Fixed APR from
3.47- 17.99%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

Earnest: Best for extended-term options

4.4
Fixed APR from
3.47- 16.49%
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- 15.49%
Loan term
10-15 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- 15.99%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

ELFI: Best for customer service

4.4
Fixed APR from
3.69- 14.22%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
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Citizens Bank: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner Best For Parents

4.6
Fixed APR from
3.99- 15.59%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
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STUDENT LOAN

Custom Choice: Best for graduation rewards

4.2
Fixed APR from
4.24- 14.04%
Loan term
7-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,000-$180,000
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STUDENT LOAN

INvestEd: Best for Indiana residents

Fixed APR from
4.95- 8.82%
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,001 - 100% total cost of attendance
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STUDENT LOAN

MEFA: Best for paying past-due tuition

Fixed APR from
5.75- 8.95%
Loan term
10-15 yrs
Loan amount
$1,500-100% cost of attendance
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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.

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Ascent offers undergraduate and graduate private student loans in all 50 states. Borrowers without a cosigner have their own loan option, which is a rarity in the private student loan space. If you don’t have a cosigner, you may be able to qualify for a loan based on your school, graduation date, major and cost of attendance.

Fixed APR
3.39%–16.11%
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Est. APR
3.39%–16.11%
Loan amount
$2,001-$400,000
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Financial hardship forbearance of up to 24 months
  • Financial wellness tools and resources
  • Outcome-based no-cosigner loans
Cons
  • Higher maximum rate than most lenders
  • Only students attending specific schools are eligible
  • No refinance loans
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Ascent loan. Ascent is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5

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.

Fixed APR
3.47%–17.99%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Est. APR
3.47%–17.99%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Multiyear approval for qualified students
  • Low APRs compared to federal student loans
  • Monthly scholarship sweepstakes
Cons
  • Undergraduate students will likely need a cosigner
  • Loan amount limit of $150,000 for some degrees
  • Cosigner release only available once at least half of repayment term has passed
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an College Ave loan. College Ave is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview: Sallie Mae is one of the most recognized lenders on our list and serves borrowers at all stages of their academic experience. Most notably, borrowers who are only enrolled in part-time programs can secure funding.

Fixed APR
3.49%–15.49%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
10-15 yrs
Est. APR
3.49%–15.49%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
10-15 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Loan deferment for up to 48 months for some graduate loan types
  • Career training program loans
  • Competitive undergraduate APRS
Cons
  • No refinancing option available
  • Limited customer service hours
  • Unclear eligibility requirements
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Sallie Mae loan. Sallie Mae is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4

Overview: Education Loan Finance functions as a not-for-profit organization that is built on creating deep relationships with its borrowers. It awards scholarships the country and connects families with assistance when it comes to the complexities of student loans.

Fixed APR
3.69%–14.22%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Est. APR
3.69%–14.22%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • 18 percent variable APR cap
  • Good customer service
  • No cosigner requirement
Cons
  • Strict eligibility requirements
  • Cosigner release not offered
  • No international student loans
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Education Loan Finance loan. Education Loan Finance is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview: Citizens Bank offers private student loans to undergraduate students, graduate students and parents. Borrowers can get a 0.25 percent discount for signing up for automatic payment and existing Citzens Bank customers get a bonus 0.25 percent loyalty discount.

Fixed APR
3.99%–15.59%
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Est. APR
3.99%–15.59%
Loan amount
$1,000-$225,000
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Relationship discounts for borrowers with existing Citizens Bank accounts
  • International students can apply with a qualifying cosigner
  • Multiyear approval available
Cons
  • Financial minimum requirements not disclosed
  • Must make 36 months of payments before applying for a cosigner release
  • $150,000 undergraduate loan limit
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Citizens loan. Citizens is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

Overview: SoFi is an online lender that offers private student loans for undergraduate students, graduate students and parents. Among its perks, SoFi doesn’t charge any fees, which cuts down on the overall cost of borrowing.

Fixed APR
3.54%–15.99%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Est. APR
3.54%–15.99%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • No fees, including late fees
  • Multiple incentive and discount opportunities
  • Relatively low credit score requirement
Cons
  • Standard six-month grace period
  • Vague financial eligibility requirements
  • Cosigned applications can take 10 days to process
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an SoFi loan. SoFi is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4

Overview: Online lender Earnest 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.

Fixed APR
3.47%–16.49%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Est. APR
3.47%–16.49%
Loan amount
$1,000-100% cost of attendance
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Rate-match guarantee
  • Nine-month grace period
  • Skip a payment once a year
Cons
  • Minimum annual income of $35,000
  • No cosigner release option
  • Loans not available to Nevada residents
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Earnest loan. Earnest is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2

Overview: Custom Choice has been in business for over 30 years and serves students in all 50 states. It lends up to $99,999 per school year or $180,000 in total.

Fixed APR
4.24%–14.04%
Loan amount
$1,000-$180,000
Loan term
7-15 yrs
Est. APR
4.24%–14.04%
Loan amount
$1,000-$180,000
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
7-15 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • No late fee
  • Graduation and auto-pay discounts
  • Payment relief for unemployment and natural disasters
Cons
  • Lower maximum loan amount of $99,999/year
  • Credit requirements not disclosed
  • Need 36 months of payments for cosigner release eligibility
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Custom Choice loan. Custom Choice is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

Overview: INvestEd is a student loan option tailored for students who reside or are attending school in Indiana. The lender is unusually engaged in bringing resources and information to students — it hosts FAFSA filing events and provides financial aid resources directly to school counselors in the state.

Fixed APR
4.95%–8.82%
Loan amount
$1,001 - 100% total cost of attendance
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Est. APR
4.95%–8.82%
Loan amount
$1,001 - 100% total cost of attendance
Min credit score
670
Loan term
5-15 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Financial literacy events for Indiana families
  • Cosigner release after just 12 months
  • Can request up to 24 months of forbearance on refinanced loans
Cons
  • Only offered to students living or attending college in Indiana
  • High minimum credit score
  • High starting rates
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Invested loan. Invested is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

Overview: MEFA serves borrowers across the country with competitive rates and comprehensive support. It also allows borrowers to use funds to pay for summer sessions or repay past-due balances from other academic semesters.

Fixed APR
5.75%–8.95%
Loan amount
$1,500-100% cost of attendance
Loan term
10-15 yrs
Est. APR
5.75%–8.95%
Loan amount
$1,500-100% cost of attendance
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
10-15 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • No fees, not even late fees
  • Can use funds to cover past-due balances from previous semester
  • Unusually low maximum interest rate
Cons
  • No prequalification
  • Co-borrower release only available after 48 payments
  • No international student loans
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an mefa loan. mefa is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4

Overview: The federal government offers student loans with fixed rates to undergraduates, graduates and parents. Borrowers have access to income-driven payments, forgiveness programs and other perks you almost certainly won’t find with a private lender.

Fixed APR
6.53%–9.08%
Loan amount
$5,500- $12,500 per year (up to $57,500 in total)
Loan term
10-25 yrs
Est. APR
6.53%–9.08%
Loan amount
$5,500- $12,500 per year (up to $57,500 in total)
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
10-25 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Income-driven repayment plans
  • Deferment and forbearance options
  • Eligibility and rates not determined by credit score
Cons
  • Those with excellent credit might get better rates elsewhere
  • Origination fee on all loans
  • Low amount limits for unsubsidized loans
WHO'S IT FOR:
Borrowers with strong work histories and education but poor credit may benefit most from an Federal Student Loans loan. Federal Student Loans is also a good match for people who prefer access to customer service seven days a week.

How student loans work

Student loans allow you to borrow money to cover the cost of pursuing additional education after high school. Funds can be used to pay for an undergraduate or graduate degree at a traditional college, or skills training and boot camp-type education at non-traditional schools. 

The process usually starts by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application to find out what types of federal student aid you're eligible for. Federal student loans don't require a minimum credit score, income or cosigner. Loan amounts are limited, and you must reapply for aid every year. 

Private lenders offer private student loans, and rates can vary significantly based on your credit scores and your cosigner's creditworthiness. While loan limits are generally higher for private student loans, hardship options and repayment terms are often less flexible than federal student loans.

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. The biggest difference between federal and private loans is in the rates, eligibility requirements and repayment terms. 

Federal student loans offer every borrower the same rate for each type of loan. Cosigners are not typically required, but the amounts awarded are based on financial need. They typically come with more protection if you encounter financial hardship, with options ranging from income-based repayment to extended forbearance and grace periods. In some instances, forgiveness may also apply through the public service loan forgiveness program.

Private lenders base your rate and terms on your credit score and typically require a cosigner. Many private student loan lenders allow you to finance up to the total cost of attendance, but they don't offer benefits like income-based repayment, and hardship repayment options are more limited.

FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS PRIVATE STUDENT LOANS
Interest rates 6.53%-9.08% for 2024-25 3.39%-17.99% fixed, 4.64%-17.99% variable
Fees 1.057% 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 non-citizen and be enrolled at least half time; cosigner not generally required Varies by lender (often must have good credit and consistent income); cosigner typically required
Benefits Income-driven repayment plans, flexible deferment and forbearance options, no minimum credit score requirement, potential for forgiveness Lower interest rates than federal loans for good-credit borrowers, zero fees at some lenders, higher loan limits than federal loans
Drawbacks Potentially higher interest rates than private loans, undergraduate loan amount caps Credit check and cosigners generally required, high rates for bad credit, fewer borrower protections

How student loan interest rates works

Student loans are a type of installment loan. Each month, a portion of your payment is applied to the interest and the balance due on your loan until the balance is completely paid off. 

You choose the repayment schedule, generally between 5 and 15 years for federal loans. It can be as long as 20 years for federal consolidation or private student refinance loans. 

The rates for federal student loans are the same regardless of your credit score, and they currently range between 6.53% and 9.08%. Private student loan rates range between 3.39% to 17.99% depending on your (and your cosigners) creditworthiness. 

For private loans, 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.

What are the current student loan interest rates?

Current private fixed-rate student loans range from 3.39 percent to 17.99 percent, depending on your credit scores and the strength of your cosigner's financials.  You may also find variable rates as low as 4.64 percent or as high as 17.99 percent.  

What are interest rates for federal student loans?

Federal student loans, aside from Perkins loans, disbursed after July 1, 2006, have fixed rates that change once a year based on an act of Congress. The current federal student loan interest rates apply to loans 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 to know about the FAFSA

The FAFSA is the only way to get federal student loans. Students should fill out the form if they plan to borrow money for college.

When does the FAFSA open and when is it due?

The FAFSA typically opens on Oct. 1 every year. For the 2025-26 school year, the FAFSA opened on Nov. 21, 2024.

The federal deadline for the FAFSA is June 30 for the award year you need funding. For the 2025-26 school year, the deadline is June 30, 2026. Some states and colleges have earlier deadlines.

Who is eligible to apply for the FAFSA?

U.S. citizens, eligible noncitizens, as well as DACA recipients, can fill out the FAFSA, but only U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens meet the FAFSA eligibility requirements to receive federal financial aid. Aid is based on financial need and requires an assessment of how much your family (parents) can contribute after analyzing their income and credit obligations.

What happens if you experience a serious financial event?

If you experience a serious financial event after submitting the FAFSA, you can update your FAFSA after the initial application. Individual colleges may allow you to apply for additional aid based on financial hardship.

How to apply for a student loan

Applying for federal student loans first will allow you to find out if you're eligible for grants, which don't need to be repaid. If you need more financial assistance, you can then opt for private student loans.

  1. Fill out the FAFSA: You'll need information from your parents or guardian such as their tax returns or other financial documents.
  2. Get prequalified with private lenders: If you need more funding, make sure you choose lenders that offer prequalification to avoid damage to your credit report from hard credit pulls. Check with each lender for additional rate discounts for autopayment or customer loyalty.
  3. Submit an application: Once you've chosen a private student lender, you'll send in a formal application online, over the phone or in person. Most private lenders require cosigners, and their information will need to be vetted for final approval.
  4. Sign loan documents: After being approved by a lender, you'll sign your loan documents to finalize the transaction. Your student loan funds will be sent directly to your school.

Student loan news updates

  • As the Trump administration takes office, the future of loan forgiveness is uncertain. Experts expect the SAVE plan and other forgiveness plans to be ended. Students who were counting on forgiveness or making $0 minimum payments under the current income-based repayment plans should start preparing for potential changes.
  • Take advantage of any deferment options now, and review your monthly budget to see how much room you have to make a payment. Be proactive with your loan servicer and discuss hardship options if you're not able to repay your loan.
  • Students eligible for forgiveness under the borrower defense to repayment programs should keep an eye on the upcoming Supreme Court review for updates on its status. 

How the Fed rate cuts impact student loans

The Federal Reserve cut rates three times in 2024, however the Fed rate does not impact student loans as much as it does other financial products. Depending on your credit score, you may see changes to private student loan rates. However, federal student loan rates will remain the same until Congress updates them in spring 2025. 

Students should watch for refinance opportunities as the Fed is expected to lower rates twice in 2025. Remember: If you pay off your federal student loans with a lower-rate private loan, you'll lose some federal protections.

FAQs about student loans

How we chose the best student loan providers 

Bankrate's trusted student loans industry expertise

48

years in business

25

lenders reviewed

16

loan features weighed

400

data points collected

The Bankrate team evaluated over two dozen lenders to select our top picks for the best student loans. To do this, Bankrate uses a 16-point system to evaluate student loan lenders. This scoring criteria measures how lenders perform across 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.