What Are The Best Student Loans? - June 2025
selected this partner
selected this partner
🥇#1 Choice for Students and Parents
- Lowest APR - starting at 3.24%1
- Apply in less than 3 minutes
- No application or origination fees
Sallie Mae
- Rates starting at 3.45% APR1
- Flexible products for full or part-time students
SoFi
- Fixed rates starting at 3.29% APR1
-
One-stop shop for student loans, banking, and expert advice.
Capable
- Fixed rates as low as 3.45%1 with 0.25% Auto Pay discount
- No origination fee or prepayment penalty2
- More than 3,000 eligible schools
Citizens Bank
- Fixed rates: 3.49% - 14.99% APR1
-
4x more likely to be approved by applying with a cosigner2
Credible
- Rates start at 4.13% Var. APR (with autopay) See Terms1
- Compare multiple lenders at once
selected this partner
selected this partner
🥇#1 Choice for Students and Parents
- Lowest APR - starting at 3.24%1
- Apply in less than 3 minutes
- No application or origination 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.
Capable Student Loans Powered by Sallie Mae
About Capable Powered by Sallie Mae:
Capable, powered by Sallie Mae, offers a modern, streamlined application process with flexible loan options. The platform focuses on delivering transparent terms and personalized support to help students and families confidently manage education costs.
- What it covers
- Up to 100% of program costs for eligible, non-degree skills training.
- Rates
- Fixed interest rates available, typically starting at 7.99% APR† (with auto-pay discount).
- Terms
- 10, 12, or 15-year terms based on loan amount
- Fees
- No application, origination, or prepayment fees.
- Repayment Options
- Full deferment, interest-only, or $25/month while in school; full principal and interest starts after graduation.
Cosigner Information:
Students may apply with a creditworthy cosigner to improve their approval chances. Cosigner release is not currently available for Capable loans.
Application Process:
The Capable application is quick and fully online. Applicants can check eligibility and receive an instant credit decision with no application fee. Program verification is typically required before funds are disbursed
Best For:
Capable is best for career changers or upskillers who want to finance short-term job training and don’t need traditional degree funding. It’s built for speed, flexibility, and focus on workforce readiness.
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.