5 Best Student Loans - June 2025
Note: In our data, College Ave offered consistently lower rates, including today (rates are current as of the date posted).
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🥇Our #1 Choice for Students and Parents
- Lowest Rates - APR starting at 3.24%1
- Cover up to 100% of school costs
- Offers instant credit decision
- Apply online in less than 3 minutes
- No origination or prepayment fees
Sallie Mae
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Rates starting at 3.45% APR1
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Option to fund entire year (if approved)
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Loans for part-time students are available
1Undergraduate Loan - Fixed rates 3.45% - 16.49% APR* with auto debit discount.
SoFi
- Fixed rates starting at 3.29% APR1
- No fees required
- No limit on covered expenses as long as they are school-certified
Ascent
- Fixed rates start at 3.39% APR1
- Students 4x more likely to be approved with a cosigner
- Receive 1% cash back of the total original balance when you graduate
Citizens Bank
- Fixed rates: 3.49% - 14.99% APR1
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4x more likely to be approved by applying with a cosigner2
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No application or origination fees
Credible
- Rates start at 4.13% Var. APR (with autopay) See Terms1
- Compare multiple lenders at once
- Get prequalified in minutes2
selected this partner
selected this partner
🥇Our #1 Choice for Students and Parents
- Lowest Rates - APR starting at 3.24%1
- Cover up to 100% of school costs
- Offers instant credit decision
- Apply online in less than 3 minutes
- No origination or prepayment fees
College Ave Student Loans
About College Ave:
College Ave specializes in helping students and families access funding for higher education through flexible loan options. It has built a reputation for responsive customer service and user-friendly online tools. The lender provides clear information on rates, repayment plans, and borrower protections. College Ave offers loan products for undergraduate, graduate, and parent borrowers.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of school-certified costs (tuition, fees, housing, books, and more).
- Rates
- Fixed and variable rate options available, with rates starting at 3.24% APR (with auto-pay discount).¹
- Terms
- 5, 8, 10, 15, or 20 years
- Fees
- No application, origination, or prepayment fees.
- Repayment Options
- Full deferment, interest-only payments, or flat $25/month payments while in school; Full principal and interest payments available immediately.
Cosigner Information:
Most undergraduate borrowers will need a cosigner. College Ave offers cosigner release after more than half the repayment term is complete and the borrower meets credit requirements.
Application Process:
The online application takes about 3 minutes. You can prequalify without impacting your credit score, and get an instant credit decision. A loan calculator helps estimate monthly payments based on your choices.
Best For:
College Ave is ideal for students and parents looking for customizable private loans with flexible repayment plans, competitive rates, and a quick, digital-first application experience.
Sallie Mae Student Loans
About Sallie Mae:
Sallie Mae stands out as a reputable private student loan lender, offering flexible financing solutions for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs. With competitive interest rates and a range of repayment options, Sallie Mae empowers students and their families to tackle the cost of higher education with clarity and control.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of school-certified expenses, including tuition, fees, housing, books, and supplies.
- Rates
- Fixed and variable rate options available, with rates starting at 3.45% APR.¹
- Terms
- 5 to 15 years, depending on the loan type and repayment plan selected.
- Fees
- No origination or prepayment fees.²
- Repayment Options
- Full deferment, interest-only payments, or flat $25/month payments while in school; Full principal and interest payments available immediately.
Cosigner Information:
Applying with a creditworthy cosigner may improve your chances of approval. Cosigner release is available after 12 consecutive, on-time principal and interest payments, pending credit review.
Application Process:
The application is quick and online, and you can view personalized rates and repayment options before you apply. Decisions are typically made within minutes.
Best For:
Sallie Mae is a strong choice for students and families looking for flexible loan options, competitive rates, and helpful features like cosigner release and automatic payment discounts.
SoFi Private Student Loans
About SoFi:
SoFi offers private student loans with competitive rates, no fees, and flexible repayment terms for undergraduate and graduate students. With a strong emphasis on member benefits and financial tools, SoFi supports borrowers beyond the loan, helping them achieve long-term financial success.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of school-certified expenses, including tuition, room and board, books, and other related costs.
- Rates
- Offers fixed or variable rates, plus a 0.25% discount for enrolling in autopay.¹
- Terms
- 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 years
- Fees
- No fees for origination, prepayment, or late payments.
- Repayment Options
- Offers multiple repayment options, including deferred, interest-only, and immediate full payments.
Cosigner Information:
Students can apply with a creditworthy cosigner to enhance approval chances. SoFi offers a cosigner release option after a specified number of on-time payments, subject to credit review.
Application Process:
The application is entirely online and can be completed in minutes. Borrowers can check their rates and terms without impacting their credit score, facilitating informed decision-making.
Best For:
SoFi is ideal for students seeking flexible private student loans with competitive rates, diverse repayment options, and added member benefits to support their financial journey.
Ascent Student Loans (Direct)
About Ascent Student Loans:
Ascent offers private student loans for undergraduate and graduate students, with options for both cosigned and non-cosigned loans. They provide flexible repayment plans, competitive interest rates, and unique benefits like a 1% cash back reward upon graduation.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of school-certified expenses, including tuition, housing, books, and other related costs.
- Rates
- Low fixed rates starting at 3.39% APR* and low variable rates starting at 4.70% APR*, with a 0.25% interest rate discount for enrolling in autopay.¹
- Terms
- 5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 years for undergraduates; graduate loans may offer different options.
- Fees
- No application, disbursement, prepayment or late fees.
- Repayment Options
- Up to 40 flexible repayment options*
Cosigner Information:
Ascent allows borrowers to apply with or without a cosigner. For cosigned loans, borrowers may request a cosigner release after making 12 consecutive, on-time principal and interest payments and meeting credit and income requirements.
Application Process:
The online application process is straightforward and can be completed in about 3 minutes. Applicants can prequalify without impacting their credit score and receive instant credit decisions.
Best For:
Ascent is ideal for students seeking flexible loan options with or without a cosigner, competitive rates, and borrower-friendly benefits like cash back rewards and multiple repayment plans.
Citizens Bank Student Loans
About Citizens Bank Student Loans:
Citizens Bank provides a range of loan options for undergraduate, graduate, and parent borrowers, all supported by straightforward terms and flexible repayment plans. With a commitment to customer service and financial accessibility, Citizens Bank helps students and families navigate the cost of higher education with confidence.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of certified education costs, including tuition, housing, and other school-related expenses.
- Rates
- Offers fixed and variable rates starting at 3.49%, with a discount of up to 0.50% available.
- Terms
- 5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
- Fees
- No application, origination, or prepayment fees.
- Repayment Options
- Full deferment, interest-only, or $25/month while in school; full payments begin 6 months after graduation.
Cosigner Information:
Applying with a qualified cosigner can increase approval chances and potentially lower interest rates. Citizens allows for cosigner release after 36 consecutive on-time principal and interest payments, subject to credit and income verification.²
Application Process:
The online application is quick and user-friendly. Applicants can receive a rate quote in about 2 minutes without affecting their credit score. Citizens also offers a Multi-Year Approval feature, reducing the need to reapply each year.
Best For:
Citizens Bank student loans are ideal for students seeking a flexible private loan option with competitive rates, multiple repayment plans, and a streamlined application process.
Credible Student Loans
About Credible:
Credible is an online marketplace that allows students and families to compare private student loan offers from multiple lenders in one place. The platform provides a streamlined application process, enabling users to receive prequalified rates without impacting their credit scores.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of school-certified expenses, including tuition, housing, books, and more.
- Rates
- Fixed or variable APRs available; 0.25% rate discount with autopay enrollment.¹
- Terms
- 5, 7, 10, 15, or 20-year repayment plans based on lender offerings
- Fees
- No origination, prepayment, or late fees charged by any partner lenders.
- Repayment Options
- Select from deferred, interest-only, or immediate full payment plans during school.
Cosigner Information:
Credible's partner lenders often allow the addition of a cosigner to improve loan approval chances and potentially secure better interest rates. Some lenders offer cosigner release options after a series of on-time payments and meeting credit requirements.
Application Process:
The application process on Credible is user-friendly and quick. Users can fill out a simple form to compare prequalified rates from multiple lenders without affecting their credit scores. Once a suitable offer is selected, the borrower proceeds with the lender's application process.
Best For:
Credible is ideal for students and families seeking to efficiently compare private student loan options from various lenders, aiming to find competitive rates and terms tailored to their financial needs.