#1
SoFi
Member-first digital lender with no fees
4.8/5
Editor verified · 12,483 reviews
- APR
- 8.99%–25.81%
- Loan amount
- $5,000 – $100,000
- Min. credit
- 680
Best for: Excellent credit, high loan amounts
Student loans
Best Student Loans of 2026
Undergrad, grad, medical, MBA and refi — 25+ private student lenders ranked on rate, repayment flexibility, cosigner release and hardship options.
🇺🇸Showing lenders for United States
4.50%
Lowest fixed APR
100% cost
Max loan
$18,700
Refi savings avg
25+
Lenders compared
Live · US
30-yr fixed mortgage6.42%-0.03%
15-yr fixed5.71%-0.02%
Variable mortgage6.18%+0.01%
HELOC8.52%+0.04%
Personal loan (prime)9.12%-0.05%
New auto7.14%+0.02%
Used auto7.98%-0.01%
Credit card avg (APR)22.70%
Fed funds4.75%
Top savings4.60%
30-yr fixed mortgage6.42%-0.03%
15-yr fixed5.71%-0.02%
Variable mortgage6.18%+0.01%
HELOC8.52%+0.04%
Personal loan (prime)9.12%-0.05%
New auto7.14%+0.02%
Used auto7.98%-0.01%
Credit card avg (APR)22.70%
Fed funds4.75%
Top savings4.60%
Ranked · updated daily
Best best student loans of 2026 of 2026
Ranked by our editorial team on rates, fees, transparency, flexibility and customer experience.
#2
Discover Personal Loans
Established bank with 30-day money back
4.5/5
Editor verified · 11,003 reviews
- APR
- 7.99%–24.99%
- Loan amount
- $2,500 – $40,000
- Min. credit
- 660
Best for: Debt consolidation with direct pay
#3
Sallie Mae
Purpose-built for undergraduate and graduate loans
4.2/5
Editor verified · 9,931 reviews
- APR
- 4.5%–15.49%
- Loan amount
- $1,000 – $250,000
- Min. credit
- 650
Best for: Undergraduates and specialty programs
Side-by-side
Compare lender terms
| Lender | APR | Amount | Term | Min. credit | Funding | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SoFi Member-first digital lender with no fees | 8.99%–25.81% | $5,000–$100,000 | 24–84 months | 680 | As fast as same day | Review → |
Discover Personal Loans Established bank with 30-day money back | 7.99%–24.99% | $2,500–$40,000 | 36–84 months | 660 | Next business day possible | Review → |
Sallie Mae Purpose-built for undergraduate and graduate loans | 4.5%–15.49% | $1,000–$250,000 | 60–180 months | 650 | Disbursed to school | Review → |
Editorial guide
Everything to know before you apply
Federal vs. private student loans
Always exhaust federal loans first: IDR plans, forgiveness eligibility, death/disability discharge. Private loans fill gaps after the federal max is hit.
Should you refinance?
Refinancing federal loans forfeits IDR and PSLF forever. If you're not pursuing forgiveness and your income is stable, refinancing can save $15k+ over the life of the loan.
Cosigner release
Most private lenders release cosigners after 12–48 months of on-time payments plus a credit review.
FAQ
Common questions
Still stuck? Our editorial team answers reader questions weekly.
Do I need a cosigner?
For undergrad private loans, 92% of borrowers use a cosigner. Grad borrowers with established credit often qualify solo.
Fixed or variable rate?
Fixed protects you from rising rates. Variable starts lower but can climb — only pick variable if you'll pay off in 3–5 years.
Can I pause payments?
Most private lenders offer 12–24 months of cumulative forbearance for hardship.