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Private student loans

Compare private student loans

Compare private student loan rates, repayment flexibility, and borrower protections side by side for the 2026-27 school year, then estimate how much of your funding gap you may still need to cover.

Updated By the CollegeLens editorial team

Private student loan rates at a glance

Current APR ranges and rate types across the lenders we compare, updated for the 2026-27 school year. Your actual rate depends on your credit profile and whether you add a cosigner.

LenderAPR rangeRate typeBest for
College AveEditor's pick2.19% - 17.99% fixed APR, 3.89% - 17.99% variable APR1Fixed and variableStudents who want flexible repayment options and no origination fees
Sallie Mae2.39% - 17.49% fixed APR, 3.75% - 16.95% variable APR2Fixed and variableUndergraduate and graduate students, and parents, comparing competitive fixed- and variable-rate private student loans
Earnest2.29% - 16.24% fixed APR, 4.74% - 16.60% variable APR3Fixed and variableBorrowers who want a zero-fee¹ lender with flexible repayment options² across undergrad, grad, and professional school programs
FundingUFixed APRs starting at 7.99% with autopay discount4FixedStudents seeking no-cosigner undergraduate loans with merit-based approval
GradBridge17.07%-21.94% variable APR, 18.06%-23.07% fixed APR5Fixed and variableUpperclassmen and graduate students who may need a second-look private loan option

Always max out federal aid first. Compare full borrower protections, repayment options, and check your rate with any lender below.

Rankings

Compare private student loans

Compare private student loan rates, repayment flexibility, and borrower protections side by side.

  1. Rank

    #1

    Editor's Pick
    College Ave logo

    College Ave

    Best for: Students who want flexible repayment options and no origination fees

    • 0.25% rate reduction with auto-pay
    • Four in-school repayment options
    • No application, origination, or prepayment fees
    • Borrow from $1,000 up to 100% of cost of attendance

    Rates

    Lowest Rate 2.19%1

    2.19% - 17.99% fixed APR, 3.89% - 17.99% variable APR

  2. Rank

    #2

    Sallie Mae logo

    Sallie Mae

    Best for: Undergraduate and graduate students, and parents, comparing competitive fixed- and variable-rate private student loans

    • Competitive variable and fixed rates
    • Multiple repayment options
    • Cosigner release available
    • No origination fees

    Rates

    Lowest Rate 2.39%2

    2.39% - 17.49% fixed APR, 3.75% - 16.95% variable APR

  3. Rank

    #3

    Earnest logo

    Earnest

    Best for: Borrowers who want a zero-fee¹ lender with flexible repayment options² across undergrad, grad, and professional school programs

    • 0.25% Auto Pay³ discount plus 0.25% Loyalty discount for eligible returning borrowers
    • No origination fees, late fees, or prepayment penalties¹
    • Borrow $1,000 to $400,000 with 5, 7, 10, 12, or 15-year terms
    • Four repayment options², a 9-month grace period, and cosigner release for eligible borrowers

    Rates

    Lowest Rate 2.29%3

    2.29% - 16.24% fixed APR, 4.74% - 16.60% variable APR

    Check EligibilityNo Credit Impact
  4. Rank

    #4

    FundingU logo

    FundingU

    Best for: Students seeking no-cosigner undergraduate loans with merit-based approval

    • Approval based on academic achievement, not income or a cosigner
    • Annual loan amounts between $3,000 and $20,000
    • Fixed rates starting at 7.99% APR with autopay discount
    • For full-time bachelor's students attending in person at not-for-profit schools

    Rates

    Lowest Rate 7.99%4

    Fixed APRs starting at 7.99% with autopay discount

  5. Another path to consider
    For upperclassmen & grad

    If traditional lenders haven't been the right fit, you still have options

    GradBridge is a second-look private student loan option designed for upperclassmen and graduate students. It's built for borrowers who may not fit the approval criteria used by some mainstream lenders and are looking for another path to help fund their education.

    GradBridge logo

    Discount

    0.25% autopay rate reduction

    Rate types

    Fixed & variable options

    Repayment

    Interest-only, $25, or deferred

    • No prepayment penalty
    • Cosigner release available
    • 6-month grace period extension on request
    • Deferment and hardship options
    See if I'm eligible
    Why is this here? CollegeLens includes GradBridge for eligible upperclassmen and graduate students as an additional option worth exploring. This is not a reflection of your creditworthiness.
Featured offer

Featured lender: College Ave student loans

Low starting fixed APRs, flexible in-school repayment options, and no application, origination, or prepayment fees.

Calculator

Estimate your funding gap

See average national funding gaps or switch to your personalized CollegeLens numbers if you're signed in.

Estimate your funding gap

Choose a school type to see national averages informed by College Scorecard-style benchmarks and federal undergraduate loan limits.

Select a school type to see average costs

Avg. Total Cost of Attendance (4yr)

$90,000

Avg. Institutional + Federal Grants

-$43,200

Federal Student Loan Limit (4yr)

-$27,000

Average Estimated Funding Gap

$19,800

Grants & AidFederal LoansFunding Gap

Funding gap insight

The average student at a In-State Public may need about $19,800 in additional funding.

Create a free CollegeLens account to see your personalized gap with your actual schools, scholarships, and aid factored in.

How we compare lenders

We compare private student loans on the factors that decide what you actually pay and how flexible the loan is: the APR range for both fixed and variable rates, the length of the repayment term, whether a cosigner is required or optional, the in-school repayment choices such as deferred, interest-only, or immediate payments, and the borrower protections a lender offers if you run into hardship.

Federal loans come first for most families, because they carry fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness options that private loans do not. We point you to your federal aid before any private loan, and we only suggest borrowing privately to cover the gap your federal aid leaves behind.

We do not rank lenders by who pays us. Featured and sponsored placements are labeled, and our advertiser disclosure explains how we make money. Read our full methodology.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a private student loan?

A private student loan is education financing offered by a bank, credit union, or specialty lender rather than the federal government. It is typically used to cover any funding gap left after grants, scholarships, and federal student loans.

How does CollegeLens calculate my funding gap?

CollegeLens calculates your funding gap by comparing estimated cost of attendance against grants, aid, federal loan limits, and available scholarship offsets. The result is the amount you may still need to cover through savings, income, or private borrowing.

Will checking my rate affect my credit score?

Many lenders let you check your rate with a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect your credit score. You should always verify the lender’s current credit inquiry policy before submitting an application.

What is the difference between fixed and variable interest rates?

A fixed rate stays the same over the life of the loan, while a variable rate can rise or fall over time. Fixed rates offer predictability, while variable rates may start lower but can change with market conditions.

Do I need a cosigner for a private student loan?

Some borrowers can qualify on their own, but many students receive better odds or better pricing with a cosigner. Cosigner requirements vary by lender, credit profile, and school year.

Disclosures

Advertiser disclaimers

1College Ave

College Ave's student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or BTG Pactual Bank, N.A., 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. (2) As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3) This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Deferred Repayment Option with a 10-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 8.35% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (APR): 120 monthly payments of $179.18 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $21,501.54. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 7/20/2026. Variable interest 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.

2Sallie Mae

Undergraduate School Loan/Smart Option Student Loan: Examples of typical transactions for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, Fixed Repayment Option, two disbursements, a 4-year in-school period, and a 6-month grace: For a borrower with the shortest loan term, it works out to 16.16% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $296.32 and one payment of $41.82, for a total loan cost of $36,578.90. For a borrower with the longest loan term, it works out to 16.38% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 177 payments of $265.54 and one payment of $173.00, for a total loan cost of $48,448.58. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not. Information advertised valid as of 07/02/2026. Rates: Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan with a 4-year in-school period, a 6-month grace, and the longest loan term offered. 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. Cosigner Release: Only the borrower may apply for cosigner release. To do so, they must first meet the age of majority in their state and provide proof of graduation (or completion of certification program), income, and U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (if their status has changed since they applied). In the last 12 months, the borrower can't have been past due on any loans serviced by Sallie Mae for 30 or more days or enrolled in any hardship forbearances or modified repayment programs. In addition, the borrower must have paid ahead or made 12 on-time principal and interest payments on each loan requested for release. The loan can't be past due when the cosigner release application is processed. The borrower must also demonstrate the ability to assume full responsibility of the loan(s) individually and pass a credit review when the cosigner release application is processed that demonstrates a satisfactory credit history including but not limited to no: bankruptcy, foreclosure, student loan(s) in default or 90-day delinquencies in the last 24 months. Requirements are subject to change.

3Earnest

Earnest Private Student Loans are subject to credit approval. ¹Earnest does not charge fees for origination, late payments, returned check, or prepayments. Florida Stamp Tax: For Florida residents, Florida documentary stamp tax is required by law, calculated as $0.35 for each $100 (or portion thereof) of the principal loan amount, the amount of which is provided in the Final Disclosure. Lender will add the stamp tax to the principal loan amount. The full amount will be paid directly to the Florida Department of Revenue. Certificate of Registration No. 78-8016373916-1. ²Repayment terms and repayment options available vary based on loan type. ³You can take advantage of the Auto Pay interest rate reduction by setting up and maintaining active and automatic ACH withdrawal of your loan payment from a checking or savings account. The interest rate reduction for Auto Pay will be available only while your loan is enrolled in Auto Pay. Interest rate incentives for utilizing Auto Pay may not be combined with certain private student loan repayment programs that also offer an interest rate reduction. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available when loan payments are deferred during the interim period as a result of selecting the deferred repayment option. ⁴To be eligible for the Loyalty Discount, applicants must have previously obtained an Earnest Private Student Loan and apply using the same email address associated with that loan. Only one Loyalty Discount may be applied per eligible Earnest Private Student Loan. Not all applicants may qualify. This offer cannot be combined with Earnest’s Rate Match program. Earnest may modify or discontinue this offer at any time and without notice, however, once a Loyalty Discount is earned, it will not be taken away. ⁵Residents of Hawaii must request a loan of at least $1,501. ⁶Available interest rates are subject to change. Interest rates as of 03/19/2026. Earnest’s Loan Cost Examples: 1.) These examples provide estimates based on principal and interest payments beginning immediately upon loan disbursement. Variable annual percentage rate ("APR"): A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,511.20. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed APR: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $150.30) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.49% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $27,054.10. 2.) These examples provide estimates based on interest-only payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $152.84) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.85% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $35,515.14. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $140.42 for 57 months. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $150.30) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (16.49% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $34,886.94. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $137.42 for 57 months. 3.) These examples provide estimates based on fixed $25 payments while in school. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $253.39) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.92% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $47,035.20. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $246.61) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.65% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $45,814.80. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $25.00. 4.) These examples provide estimates based on deferred payments. Variable interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $275.17) and a 16.85% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.67% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $49,530.60. For a variable loan, after your starting rate is set, your rate will then vary with the market. Fixed interest rate: A $10,000 loan with a 15-year term (180 monthly payments of $268.03) and a 16.49% interest rate without Auto Pay (14.39% APR) would result in a total estimated payment amount of $48,245.40. Your actual repayment terms may vary. Other repayment options are available. It is important to note that the 0.25% Auto Pay discount is not available when the deferred repayment option has been selected and the loan is in the interim period. The calculation assumes that the “in-school” period is 4 years (48 months) and includes our 9 month grace period, during which the monthly payment will be $0. ⁷Nine-month grace period is not available for borrowers who choose our Principal and Interest Repayment plan while in school. ⁸To qualify for automatic cosigner release, the outstanding principal balance of your loan must be paid down to 50% or less of the original principal balance. The primary borrower must have made 36 months of required payments after the end of the Interim Period. The primary borrower must meet our eligibility and minimum credit requirements. Additional terms and conditions may apply. To request cosigner release, the primary borrower must have made 12 consecutive, monthly on-time principal and interest payments (or an amount equal thereto) immediately preceding the cosigner release application. The primary borrower must satisfy certain eligibility and credit criteria at the time of application. Additional terms and conditions may apply. ⁹Includes 0.50% combined Auto Pay and Loyalty discounts. Actual rate and available repayment terms will vary based on your financial profile. Fixed annual percentage rates (APR) range from 2.79% to 16.74% (2.29% - 16.24% with Auto Pay and Loyalty discounts). Variable annual percentage rates (APR) range from 5.24% to 17.1% (4.74% - 16.6% with Auto Pay and Loyalty discounts). Earnest variable interest rate student 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 plus a margin and will change on the 1st of each month. The rate will not increase more than once a month, but there is no limit on the amount that the rate could increase at one time. Our lowest rates are only available for our most credit qualified existing cosigned loan borrowers who receive the 0.25% Loyalty discount and requires selection of our shortest term offered, full principal and interest payment while in school, and enrollment in our 0.25% Auto Pay discount. Enrolling in Auto Pay is not required as a condition for approval. Interest rates are subject to change. Earnest Private Student Loans are made by FinWise Bank, Member FDIC. FinWise Bank, 756 East Winchester, Suite 100, Murray, UT 84107. Earnest student loans are serviced by Earnest Operations LLC, 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 340, Oakland, CA 94612. NMLS #1204917, with support from Higher Education Loan Authority of the State of Missouri (MOHELA) (NMLS# 1442770). FinWise Bank and Earnest LLC and its subsidiaries, including Earnest Operations LLC, are not sponsored by agencies of the United States of America. © 2026 Earnest LLC. All rights reserved.

4FundingU

FundingU offers no-cosigner undergraduate loans with approval based on academic achievement rather than income or a cosigner. Annual loan amounts range from $3,000 to $20,000. Fixed APRs start at 7.99% with autopay discount. Borrowers must be enrolled full-time in person and pursuing a bachelor's degree at an eligible not-for-profit institution. Rates, terms, and eligibility are subject to change. Review FundingU's site for current details.

5GradBridge

GradBridge loans are second-look private student loans and are not affiliated with the federal student loan program. As such, they do not offer the same repayment benefits that may be available with federal loans. GradBridge loans are for students currently enrolled at a participating school. The minimum loan amount is $5,000. All loans will be certified by the school. GradBridge Student Loans are originated by Hatch Bank, a California-chartered industrial bank. 1. The APR (Annual Percentage Rate) for the lowest advertised rate assumes a $10,000 loan, with a 15-year term and 30 months in school, with no payment while in school, a 5% originations fee and a .25% ACH discount applied. The APR for the highest interest rate assumes a $10,000 loan, with a 5-year term and 30 months in school with an Interest Only payments while in school, a 5% originations fee and a .25% ACH discount applied. 2. Variable rates may increase or decrease over time based on the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Finance Rate (SOFR as of 6/1/2026) index rounded to the nearest eighth of a percent. Fixed rates will remain constant and will not change over time. Actual rates and repayment terms may vary based on creditworthiness and other factors. The GradBridge 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. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from GradBridge. 3. Repayment Options: While in school, applicants may choose one of the following repayment options (i) Interest-Only: Pay only the interest each month to reduce total loan cost; (ii) $25 Fixed Payments: Pay $25 per month to help lower accrued interest; or (iii) No Payment: Make no payments while in school, interest accrues and is added to the loan balance. Each choice impacts the total loan cost. (iv) For the $25 repayment example, assume a $10,000 loan with an APR of 20.36%, a 5% originations fee, and a .25% ACH discount applied and 10-year term. The loan will have 30 months of in school payments of $25, followed by 120 months of principal and interest payments of $305.15 per month. Example as of 6/1/2026. 4. Extended grace can be requested 60 days prior to the initial grace period ending or 90 days after the initial grace period has ended. GradBridge loans are available in all states except Iowa, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia. GradBridge is working on obtaining these state licenses and will update this list.

Some lender placements on CollegeLens are paid placements. Review the advertiser disclosure for details on how compensation may affect where offers appear.