Best Student Loans - October 2025
Note: In our data, College Ave offered consistently lower rates, including today (rates are current as of the date posted).
selected this partner
selected this partner
🥇Our #1 Choice for Students and Parents
- Lowest Rate - APR starting at 2.89%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
-
Rates starting at 2.89% APR1
-
Option to fund entire year (if approved)
-
Loans for part-time students are available
1Undergraduate Loan - Fixed rates 2.89% - 17.49% APR* with auto debit discount.
SoFi
- Fixed rates starting at 3.43% APR1
- No fees required
- No limit on covered expenses as long as they are school-certified
Credible
- Rates start at 4.13% Var. APR (with autopay). See Terms.1
- Compare multiple lenders at once
- Get prequalified in minutes2
selected this partner
selected this partner
🥇Our #1 Choice for Students and Parents
- Lowest Rate - APR starting at 2.89%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 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.
- 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 2.89% 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 Student Loans:
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
- Covers up to 100% of school-certified expenses, including tuition, housing, books, and more.
- Rates
- Fixed rates from 2.89%–17.49% APR or variable rates from 4.37%–16.99% APR, with a 0.25% discount for auto debit.
- Fees
- No origination fees or prepayment penalties; pay off your loan early without extra costs.
- Terms
- 10 to 15 years, depending on the loan amount and repayment plan.
- Repayment Options
- Select from deferred, fixed $25 monthly, or interest-only payments while in school, followed by a 6-month grace period post-graduation.
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® Student Loans:
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.
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.
Credible Student Loans
About Credible Student Loans:
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
- Fees
- No origination, prepayment, or late fees charged by any partner lenders.
- Terms
- 5, 7, 10, 15, or 20-year terms based on lender offerings.
- 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.







