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Best Student Loans - June 2025

Private Student Loans continue to evolve. Don’t delay. Compare Private Student Loans for academic years 2025-26.

Last Updated: June 27, 2025

Note: In our data, College Ave offered consistently lower rates, including today (rates are current as of the date posted).

93% of visitors
selected this partner
93% of visitors  selected this partner
BEST OVERALL
Our Partner
93% of visitors
selected this partner
93% of visitors  selected this partner
APPLY NOW

🥇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

 

View All College Ave Rates 🎓

#2
Our Partner

Sallie Mae

  • Rates starting at 3.19% APR1

  • Option to fund entire year (if approved)

  • Loans for part-time students are available

1Undergraduate Loan - Fixed rates 3.19% - 16.99% APR* with auto debit discount. 

#3
Our Partner

SoFi

  • Fixed rates starting at 3.29% APR1
  • No fees required
  • No limit on covered expenses as long as they are school-certified
#4
Our Partner

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
#5
Our Partner

Earnest

  • Variable rates starting at 4.99%1
  • Check your eligibility in just 2 minutes
  • Quick and simple application process
#6
Our Partner

Citizens Bank

  • Fixed rates: 3.49% - 14.99% APR1
  • 4x more likely to be approved by applying with a cosigner2
  • No application or origination fees

93% of visitors
selected this partner
93% of visitors  selected this partner
BEST OVERALL
Our Partner
93% of visitors
selected this partner
93% of visitors  selected this partner
APPLY NOW

🥇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

 

View All College Ave Rates 🎓


College Ave Student Loans

About College Ave Student Loans:

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.

 

HIGHLIGHTS
What it covers
Up to 100% of school-certified costs including 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
Fees
No application, origination, or prepayment fees.
Terms
5, 8, 10, 15, or 20 years
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.

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.

Undergraduate Loan - Fixed rates 3.19% - 16.99% APR* with auto debit discount.


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.

 

HIGHLIGHTS
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
Fees
No origination or late fees.
Terms
5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years
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.

 

HIGHLIGHTS
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
Fees
No application, disbursement, prepayment or late fees.
Terms
5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 years for undergraduates; graduate loans may offer different options.
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 Student Loans

About Citizens 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.

 

HIGHLIGHTS
What it covers
Up to 100% of certified education costs, including tuition, housing, and other school-related expenses.
Rates
Offers fixed or variable rates starting at 3.49% APR, with up to 0.50% in loyalty and auto-pay discounts.
Fees
No application, origination, or prepayment fees.
Terms
5, 7, 10, 15, or 20 years
Repayment Options
Full deferment, interest-only, or $25/month payments 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.

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.


Advertiser Disclaimers and Disclosures:

College Ave: 

College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.

¹ All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.

 

Sallie Mae: 

Borrow Responsibly. Sallie Mae encourages students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Students and families should evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.

Loans for Undergraduate & Career Training Students are not intended for graduate students and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student must attend a participating school. 

¹ Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website may be subjected to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.

² Although Sallie Mae does not charge a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as outlined in your promissory note—first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal.

Based on a comparison of approval rates for Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loans for undergraduate students who applied with a cosigner versus without a cosigner during a rolling 12-month period from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023.

³ Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

College Finance is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of Smart Option Student Loan customers.

Information valid as of 06/23/2025.

SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

© 2025 Sallie Mae Bank. All rights reserved. Sallie Mae, the Sallie Mae logo, and other Sallie Mae names and logos are service marks or registered service marks of Sallie Mae Bank. SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Sallie Mae Bank, are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.

 

SoFi:

Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. SoFi encourages you to evaluate all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including SoFi's. Terms and Conditions Apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. SoFi Private Student loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, such as completion of a loan application and self-certification form, verification of application information, the student's at least half-time enrollment in a degree program at a SoFi-participating school, and, if applicable, a co-signer. In addition, borrowers must be U.S. citizens or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or American Samoa, and must meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements, including verification of sufficient income to support your ability to repay. Minimum loan amount is $1,000. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is current as of 4/22/2025 and is subject to change. SoFi Private Student loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

 

¹ Fixed rates range from 3.54% APR to 15.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount. Variable rates range from 4.64% APR to 15.99% APR with a 0.25% autopay discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates are capped at 17.95%. SoFi rate ranges are current as of 6/2/2025 and are subject to change at any time. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term and type of repayment option you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer (if applicable) and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Check out SoFi's eligibility criteria at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your monthly payment. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment and forbearance.

 

Ascent:

1Ascent’s undergraduate and graduate student loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent's Terms and Conditions please visit:

AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 6/1/2025 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 6/1/2025, a 0.5% discount for on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 6/1/2025 and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower’s credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform. 

 

Earnest:

1Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your income. Fixed rates range from 3.24% APR to 16.85% APR (includes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Variable rates range from 4.99% APR to 16.85% APR (includes 0.25% Auto Pay discount). Earnest variable interest rate student loan origination loans are based on a publicly available index, the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The variable rate is based on the rate published on the 25th day, or the next business day, of the preceding calendar month, rounded to the nearest hundredth of a percent. The rate will not increase more than once per month. Although the rate will vary after you are approved, it will never exceed 36% (the maximum allowable for this loan). Please note, Earnest Private Student Loans are not available in Nevada. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified borrowers and contain our .25% auto pay discount from a checking or savings account. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available while loan payments are deferred. Earnest Private Student Loans are made by One American Bank, Member FDIC, or FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. One American Bank, 515 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Finwise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107. Earnest loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland 94612. NMLS #1204917, with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770) One American Bank, FinWise Bank, and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America.
© 2025 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.

 

Citizens Bank:

¹ Variable interest rates range from 4.99% - 15.51% (4.99% - 15.47% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 3.49% - 15.49% (3.49% - 14.99% APR).

² Citizens Undergraduate Booked Loans from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024 were 4 times more likely to be approved with a qualified cosigner.


 

College Ave Disclosure

College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.

(1) All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.

Sallie Mae Disclosure

Borrow Responsibly

Sallie Mae encourages students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Students and families should evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.

Loans for Undergraduate & Career Training Students are not intended for graduate students and are subject to credit approval, identity verification, signed loan documents, and school certification. Student must attend a participating school.

1. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website may be subjected to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time.

2. Although Sallie Mae does not charge a penalty or fee if you prepay your loan, any prepayment will be applied as outlined in your promissory note—first to Unpaid Fees and costs, then to Unpaid Interest, and then to Current Principal. Based on a comparison of approval rates for Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loans for undergraduate students who applied with a cosigner versus without a cosigner during a rolling 12-month period from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023.

3. Student or cosigner must meet the age of majority in their state of residence. Students who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must reside in the U.S., attend school in the U.S., apply with a creditworthy cosigner (who must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident), and provide an unexpired government-issued photo ID. Requested loan amount must be at least $1,000.

College Finance is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of Smart Option Student Loan customers.

SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.

Information valid as of 10/25/2024.

Sallie Mae loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank. Sallie Mae, the Sallie Mae logo, and other Sallie Mae names and logos are service marks or registered service marks of Sallie Mae Bank. All other names and logos used are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

© 2025 Sallie Mae Bank. All rights reserved. Sallie Mae, the Sallie Mae logo, and other Sallie Mae names and logos are service marks or registered service marks of Sallie Mae Bank. SLM Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Sallie Mae Bank, are not sponsored by or agencies of the United States of America.