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Compare Personal Loan Rates: Starting At 6.49%

Back to libraryTaylor Medine, Amber BarkleyJul 11, 2026
Compare Personal Loan Rates: Starting At 6.49%

Why you can trust Forbes Advisor

Our editors are committed to bringing you unbiased ratings and information. Advertisers do not and cannot influence our ratings. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and companies, so all are measured equally. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and the personal loans methodology for the ratings below.

  • 38 nationwide lenders researched
  • 19 data points evaluated and scored
  • Unbiased editorial team
  • No AI writing

Compare the Best Personal Loan Rates

COMPANYFORBES ADVISOR RATINGLOAN AMOUNTSAPR RANGELEARN MORE
5.0
$5,000 to $100,000
7.24% to 24.89%
Via Credible.com's Website
4.9
$5,000 to $100,000
6.99% to 35.49%*
Via Credible.com's Website
4.9
$1,000 to $75,000
7.74% to 35.99%
Via Credible.com's Website
4.9
$1,000 to $50,000 for existing U.S. Bank customers and up to $25,000 for new customers
8.74% to 24.99%
Via MoneyLion’s Website
4.8
$600 to $50,000
8.99% to 17.99%
Via MoneyLion’s Website
4.7
$1,000 to $75,000
6.60% to 35.99%
Compare rates from participating lenders via Forbes Advisor
4.7
$1,000 to $60,000
5.96% to 35.99%
Via Credible.com's Website
4.7
$3,000 to $100,000
6.74% to 26.49%
Via MoneyLion’s Website

Best Personal Loan Rates: A Closer Look

Best for Credit Card Debt Consolidation

SoFi®

4.9

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team

Loan amounts

$5,000 to $100,000

APR range

6.99% to 35.49%*

with all discounts

Minimum Credit Score

Does not disclose

Check SoFi Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

$5,000 to $100,000

6.99% to 35.49%*

with all discounts

Does not disclose

Our Expert Review

SoFi® personal loans stand out as a solid choice to consolidate credit card debt because you can qualify for a 0.25% rate discount when you use funds to directly pay creditors. Plus, there’s an additional 0.25% rate discount if you set up autopay to make loan payments. We also like that SoFi gives you the unique option to choose a no-fee loan or elect to pay an origination fee to lower your interest rate. Each of these features can drive down loan costs to help you pay off debt faster.

Consumer Sentiment Index
4.2
Consumer Sentiment Index
3,184
Insights Analyzed
  • #
    Interest Rates and Fees
    57%
    14%
    29%
  • #
    Customer Service
    26%
    11%
    63%
  • #
    Loan Terms and Flexibility
    56%
    23%
    21%
  • #
    Ease of Approval and Process
    64%
    10%
    26%

While some borrowers appreciate SoFi’s simple application and disbursement process, others are dissatisfied with communication and customer service. Borrowers are also frustrated with misleading promotional offers and how their loan inquiries were handled.

Pros & Cons
  • Offers comprehensive member benefits and perks
  • Does not charge origination, late payment or prepayment fees
  • Offers direct payment to creditors
  • Loan amounts of up to $100,000
  • Higher minimum loan amount ($5,000)
  • Longer average funding time (4 days)
  • High maximum loan APR ( 35.49%*)
  • Live chat is limited to business hours

Lender Details

Eligibility  

  • Minimum credit score: Does not disclose
  • Co-signers/co-borrowers: Co-borrowers accepted

Funding Speed 

Funds should generally be available within a few days after signing the loan agreement.

Disclosures

*Terms and conditions apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. To qualify, a borrower must be a U.S. citizen or other eligible status, be residing in the U.S., and meet SoFi’s underwriting requirements. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. If approved, your actual rate will be within the range of rates at the time of application and will depend on a variety of factors, including term of loan, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, and other factors. If SoFi is unable to offer you a loan but matches you for a loan with a participating bank, then your rate may be outside the range of rates listed above. Rates and Terms are subject to change at any time without notice. SoFi Personal Loans can be used for any lawful personal, family, or household purposes and may not be used for post-secondary education expenses. Minimum loan amount is $5,000. The average of SoFi Personal Loans funded in 2024 was around $33K. Information current as of 06/03/26. SoFi Personal Loans originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). See SoFi.com/legal for state-specific license details. See SoFi.com/eligibility for details and state restrictions.

*Fixed rates from 6.99% APR to 35.49% APR. APR reflect the 0.25% autopay interest rate discount and a 0.25% SoFi Plus interest rate discount. SoFi Platform personal loans are made either by SoFi Bank, N.A. or , Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, operating from its Delaware branch, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. SoFi may receive compensation if you take out a loan originated by Cross River Bank. These rate ranges are current as of 06/03/26 and are subject to change without notice. Not all rates and amounts available in all states. See SoFi Personal Loan eligibility details at https://www.sofi.com/eligibilitycriteria/#eligibility-personal. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on a variety of factors, including evaluation of your credit worthiness, income, and other factors.
Loan amounts range from $5,000– $100,000. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 9.99% of your loan amount for Cross River Bank originated loans which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive and for SoFi Bank originated loans have an origination fee of 0%-7%, will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive.

Autopay: 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. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi.

Member Rate Discount: To be eligible for an additional 0.25% interest rate reduction on a Personal Loan, you must, within 31 days of loan funding, either (1) meet SoFi Plus eligibility criteria, (2) receive an Eligible Direct Deposit into a SoFi Checking or Savings account, or (3) receive at least $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits into a SoFi Checking or Savings account. You must continue to meet at least one of the above eligibility criteria every 31 days to maintain the discount. See the SoFi Plus terms for details on SoFi Plus subscription. For more details on Eligible Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, please see https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.

Once you become eligible during the initial period, the discount will be removed or reinstated depending on whether the criteria have been met. Each time your loan is re-amortized, your monthly payment amount will change based upon the interest rate that was in place. SoFi reserves the right to modify or terminate this offer at any time for unenrolled participants. You are not required to meet these criteria to be approved for a loan.

Best for Small Loans

Upgrade

4.9

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $75,000

APR range

7.74% to 35.99%

Minimum Credit Score

580

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

$1,000 to $75,000

7.74% to 35.99%

580

Our Expert Review

We like that Upgrade can provide small loan amounts to fill an immediate financial gap, like paying for a car repair or vet bill. Loan terms range from two to seven years, allowing you to customize your repayment schedule. If you qualify, you may be able to get money within a day of clearing verification. However, a drawback of this loan is the origination fee, which ranges from 1.85% and 9.99%.

Consumer Sentiment Index
5.4
Consumer Sentiment Index
5,884
Insights Analyzed
  • #
    Interest Rates and Fees
    54%
    10%
    36%
  • #
    Customer Service
    67%
    3%
    30%
  • #
    Loan Terms and Flexibility
    74%
    10%
    16%
  • #
    Ease of Approval and Process
    94%
    2%
    4%

Upgrade customers report mixed experiences with its personal loan offerings. Some wins that jump out include the streamlined application process, easy approval and quick funding. But their experiences were not perfect. Some users are dissatisfied with the high APRs and loan fees that make working with Upstart costly.

Pros & Cons
  • Direct payment to creditors streamlines the consolidation process
  • 24/7 live chat customer support available
  • Offers both co-signer and co-borrower options
  • Charges origination fees on consolidation loans
  • High maximum loan APR ( 35.99%)
  • Average 3-day funding timeline

Lender Details

Eligibility

  • Minimum credit score: 580
  • Co-signers/co-borrowers: Accepted

Funding Speed

Funding may occur within one business day of clearing verification.

Best for Excellent Credit

U.S. Bank

4.9

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $50,000 for existing U.S. Bank customers and up to $25,000 for new customers

Depends on the area you live in

APR range

8.74% to 24.99%

with autopay

Minimum Credit Score

680

Compare Rates Arrow

Via MoneyLion’s Website

$1,000 to $50,000 for existing U.S. Bank customers and up to $25,000 for new customers

Depends on the area you live in

8.74% to 24.99%

with autopay

680

Our Expert Review

U.S. Bank personal loans feature no origination fees or prepayment penalty fees, which makes it one of the more affordable loan options featured on this list. To qualify for a loan, you’re not required to be a US Bank customer; however, US Bank customers are able to take out larger loans of up to $50,000. Credit requirements for US Bank loans may be strict. Good credit is likely necessary to get approved, and excellent credit is necessary to get the best interest rates.

Consumer Sentiment Index
2.6
Consumer Sentiment Index
2,112
Insights Analyzed
  • #
    Interest Rates and Fees
    20%
    4%
    76%
  • #
    Customer Service
    5%
    2%
    93%
  • #
    Loan Terms and Flexibility
    36%
    21%
    43%
  • #
    Ease of Approval and Process
    31%
    3%
    66%

The majority of feedback for U.S. Bank was negative, with many borrowers expressing dissatisfaction with the customer service and issues with the loan process. Borrowers reported unexpected fees, delays and problems with loan payoff and documentation.

Pros & Cons
  • Does not charge origination, late payment or prepayment fees
  • Direct payment to creditors is available
  • Offers relationship banking benefits
  • Offers both co-signer and co-borrower options
  • Minimum credit score of 680 required
  • No live chat support option
  • Extended phone hours only (not available 24/7)
  • Average 2-day funding timeline

Lender Details

Eligibility

  • Minimum credit score: 680
  • Co-signers/co-borrowers: Accepted

Funding Speed

You could get your loan within four business days after approval.

Best for Credit Union Financing

PenFed

4.8

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team

Minimum Credit Score

Not disclosed

APR range

8.99% to 17.99%

Loan amounts

$600 to $50,000

Compare Rates Arrow

Via MoneyLion’s Website

Not disclosed

8.99% to 17.99%

$600 to $50,000

Our Expert Review

PenFed offers personal loans for credit union members with no fees, including no origination or prepayment penalty fees. Since PenFed is a credit union, you must go through the extra step to become a member during the loan application, but once you join, you can qualify for other banking products, such as high-yield savings accounts.

Pros & Cons
  • Interest rate cap lower than many other lenders
  • No origination fee
  • Must become a member to qualify
  • No discount for using autopay

Lender details

 Eligibility

  • Minimum credit score: Not disclosed
  • Co-signers/co-borrowers: Yes

Funding Speed

Next-day funding may be available. The speed of funding may be longer or shorter depending on what time of day you apply for a loan.

Best for Payment Relief Options

Upstart

4.7

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $75,000

APR range

6.60% to 35.99%

Minimum Credit Score

300

Compare Rates Arrow

Compare rates from participating lenders via Forbes Advisor

$1,000 to $75,000

6.60% to 35.99%

300

Our Expert Review

We like that Upstart provides competitive rates to borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. It’s also one of the few lenders that might offer borrower protections in financial emergencies. If you have trouble repaying your loan, you can contact Upstart to explore payment assistance plans. However, origination fees on this loan can be high, at up to 12% of the loan amount.

Pros & Cons
  • Lowest minimum credit score (300)
  • Approval process considers factors like education and employment
  • Loan amounts up to $1,000 to $75,000
  • Fast average funding (3 days)
  • Longer minimum loan term (36 months and 60 months)
  • Origination fees apply
  • iPhone-only mobile app
  • No autopay discount available

Lender details

Eligibility

  • Minimum credit score:300
  • Co-signers/co-borrowers:Not accepted

Funding Speed

Next-day funding may be available if you accept a loan before 5 p.m. ET on a business day.

Best for Fair Credit

Happen Bank

4.7

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team

Loan amounts

$1,000 to $60,000

APR range

5.96% to 35.99%

Minimum Credit Score

600

Compare Rates Arrow

Via Credible.com’s Website

$1,000 to $60,000

5.96% to 35.99%

600

Our Expert Review

Happen Bank accepts credit scores as low as 600 and provides funding in as little as one day. We like that Happen Bank can directly pay your lenders using loan funds if you need to consolidate debt, and you can send money to as many as 12 creditors. The loan origination fee is up to 8%, which is a factor to consider when reviewing your offer and deciding how much to borrow.

Consumer Sentiment Index
6.0
Consumer Sentiment Index
10,607
Insights Analyzed
  • #
    Interest Rates and Fees
    64%
    13%
    23%
  • #
    Customer Servic
    68%
    2%
    30%
  • #
    Loan Terms and Flexibility
    84%
    7%
    9%
  • #
    Ease of Approval and Process
    95%
    2%
    3%

Borrowers are typically satisfied with Happen Bank and value the competitive interest rates and efficient application process. However, some cite concerns about high origination fees and communication issues.

Pros & Cons
  • Low minimum APR compared to the alternatives ( 5.96%)
  • Offers direct payment to creditors
  • Offers a co-borrower option
  • Live chat support is available
  • Charges origination fees
  • Higher maximum APR ( 35.99%)
  • Lower maximum loan amount ( up to $60,000)
  • No autopay discount available

Lender Details

Eligibility

  • Minimum credit score: 600
  • Co-signers/co-borrowers: Co-borrowers accepted

Funding Speed

Funding may occur within 24 hours.

Best for In-Person Borrowing

Wells Fargo

4.7

Our ratings take into account loan cost, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and application process. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team

Loan amounts

$3,000 to $100,000

APR range

6.74% to 26.49%

with autopay discount

Minimum Credit Score

Does not disclose

Compare Rates Arrow

Via MoneyLion’s Website

$3,000 to $100,000

6.74% to 26.49%

with autopay discount

Does not disclose

Our Expert Review

Wells Fargo has branch locations across the U.S., and you can apply for personal loans online or in person. Interest rates are low, and there’s no origination fee, which can significantly reduce borrowing costs. That said, brick-and-mortar bank lenders tend to have stricter loan eligibility requirements, so strong credit and high income may be necessary to qualify. This loan is also best for current Wells Fargo customers, since you must have an account for at least 12 months to qualify for a loan.

Consumer Sentiment Index
4.4
Consumer Sentiment Index
132,945
Insights Analyzed
  • #
    Interest Rates and Fees
    22%
    11%
    67%
  • #
    Customer Service
    35%
    3%
    62%
  • #
    Loan Terms and Flexibility
    39%
    20%
    41%
  • #
    Ease of Approval and Process
    72%
    5%
    23%

Wells Fargo’s borrowers often complained about high interest rates, unexpected fees, and poor customer service experiences. Some users found the mobile app user-friendly and efficient, while others found challenges with it.

Pros & Cons
  • Offers loan amounts of up to $100,000
  • Low minimum APR (6.74%)
  • Average 1-day funding timeline
  • Requires borrowers to have a longstanding Wells Fargo checking account
  • Charges a $25 monthly account fee (unless waived)
  • No direct payment to creditors

Lender Details

Eligibility

  • Minimum credit score: Does not disclose
  • Co-signers/co-borrowers: Not accepted

Funding Speed

On average, borrowers get their loan funds within one business day.

Most Popular is calculated from the number of times each affiliate product was selected by Forbes Advisor users over a six month time period.

The above personal loan rates and details are accurate as of November 5, 2025. While we update this information regularly, the annual percentage rates (APRs) and loan details may have changed since the page was last updated. Keep in mind, some lenders make specific rates and terms available only for certain loan purposes. Be sure to confirm available APR ranges and loan details, based on your desired loan purpose, with your lender before applying.

How We Picked the Best Personal Loan Rates

The best personal loan rate is the one with the lowest cost and the best terms for your needs. Our team assessed dozens of top lenders across 19 different metrics, including loan rates, credit score requirements and minimum time to funding. We based editorial conclusions solely on information we gathered from providers and through independent research. Advertisers do not influence our ratings. Read our editorial guidelines and the full personal loans methodology.

Read More

How We Evaluate the Best Personal Loan Rates

  • 38

    Lenders researched 

    We chose which lenders to review based on loan volume and availability

  • 5

    Methodology factors considered 

    Includes cost, details, eligibility, customer experience and application process

  • 19

    Metrics examined

    Most weight given to interest rates

We analyzed 54 personal loan offers from 38 popular lenders. We started our research by reviewing relevant details about each loan on a lender’s website. When a lender did not offer loan details required for our analysis on its website, our team utilized phone research and a common script to complete data gathering. We used a secret shopper approach during phone research to get an unbiased understanding of a typical customer experience.

The pie chart below displays the five core factors we considered in our analysis: loan costs, loan details, eligibility and accessibility, customer experience and the application process. Each of these factors were weighted separately based on our team’s experience reviewing personal loan products and by using personas that helped us determine what the typical consumer may find most important in choosing a personal loan. In the case of personal loans, we believe cost is an overriding factor in a consumer’s decision.

Within each factor, we examined various metrics and created individual weights:

Loan Costs and Details

Lenders who offered minimum APRs below 5% and maximum APRs below 18% scored highest in our analysis. We also considered, among other data points, minimum and maximum loan amounts. We favored loans that offered minimums below $2,000 and maximum amounts above $75,000.

The weights for each metric are as follows:

  • Minimum loan amount: 3%

  • Maximum loan amount: 5%

  • Minimum loan term: 5%

  • Maximum loan term: 5%

  • Minimum APR: 15%

  • Maximum APR: 10%

  • Late payment fees: 3%

  • Prepayment penalties: 3%

  • Perks/reductions: 5%

  • Origination fees: 4%

Eligibility and Accessibility

Your credit score is often an important factor in determining whether you’re eligible for a personal loan. For this analysis, we gave the highest scores to lenders who required minimum credit scores under 620.

The weights for each metric are as follows:

  • Minimum credit score: 5%

  • How many states a loan is available in: 5%

  • Co-signer or co-borrower capability: 5%

Customer Experience

The interaction between a customer and a lender should be as seamless as possible. Borrowers should expect to be able to have their questions answered promptly and with little hassle. That’s why we favor lenders who offer live support seven days a week until at least 6 p.m. ET and multiple ways for customers to interact with the company (phone, chat, etc.). We also examined customer reviews on Trustpilot, giving the highest marks to companies with four- and five-star reviews.

The weights for each metric are as follows:

  • Customer service hours and access options: 5%

  • Mobile app availability: 2%

  • Trustpilot reviews: 5%

Application Process

Finally, we evaluated each provider’s application process—like prequalification options and average turnaround time from application to loan funding. While most lenders we evaluated offer an online application, a few do not. Lenders requiring an office visit earned the lowest scores in our analysis. We also reserved our highest marks in this component for lenders who offer the opportunity for same-day funding.

The weights for each metric are as follows:

  • Online application available: 5%

  • Average total turnaround time: 5%

  • Option to prequalify: 5%

Consumer Sentiment Index

In addition to evaluating the star rating from Trustpilot, we also analyzed thousands of opinions and reviews from online forums and summarized how consumers rated each using our proprietary Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI). For this analysis, we did not include CSI in the overall methodology, but will add it in future updates.

Read More

40%
18%
15%
15%
12%

(40%) Loan costs
(18%) Loan details
(15%) Eligibility and accessibility
(15%) Application process
(12%) Customer experience

How CSI Works

The Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) from Forbes Advisor uses a proprietary weighting system designed by our subject matter experts. It evaluates thousands of consumer insights and reviews from leading online forums to determine customer satisfaction at scale. 

Each lender is assigned an overall CSI score derived from four different components scored on a 10-point scale: interest rates and fees, customer service, loan terms and flexibility and ease of approval and process.

Read More

Product NameConsumer Sentiment IndexInterest Rates and FeesCustomer ServiceLoan Terms and FlexibilityEase of Approval and ProcessOverall Satisfaction
LightStream

6.6

4/10
2/10
3/10
3/10
3/10
SoFi

6.3

3/10
2/10
3/10
4/10
3/10
Upgrade

7.6

4/10
4/10
4/10
4/10
4/10
U.S. Bank 

6.5

3/10
4/10
3/10
4/10
3/10
PenFed

6.5

3/10
3/10
3/10
4/10
3/10
Upstart

6.7

3/10
3/10
4/10
4/10
4/10
LendingClub

8.2

4/10
3/10
4/10
5/10
4/10
Wells Fargo

4.8

2/10
2/10 
3/10
2/10
3/10 
See full list

Our team has decades of experience in the personal finance space. We’re passionate about helping you make the financial decisions and choose the financial products that are right for your life and goals.

Read More

Amber Barkley
Amber Barkley

Staff Editor

Loans & Mortgages

Taylor Medine
Taylor Medine

Staff Writer

Amber Barkley

Loans & Mortgages

Amber Barkley

Amber Barkley is a writer and editor with over 10 years of experience in topics ranging from personal finance to marketing analytics to fiction. She found her niche in personal finance in 2022, when she joined GOBankingRates as an editor, providing people with the information they need to make good decisions with their money.

Taylor Medine

Taylor Medine

Taylor Medine is a staff writer at Forbes Advisor who demystifies complex money topics to help everyday people make more informed financial decisions. Over her nearly a decade of experience, Taylor’s work has been published on Bankrate, Experian, Credit Karma, MarketWatch, The Balance and more.

Lowest Personal Loan Rates

Lenders typically base interest rates on a borrower’s creditworthiness, but rates aren’t just about you—they also tie to larger market trends and monetary policy.

In lower interest rate environments, personal loan interest rates have started as low as 4%. 

But in the current high-rate environment, interest rates are starting closer to 7%, even from lenders who typically offer some of the lowest rates around.

Average Personal Loan Interest Rates By Credit Score

The best personal loan interest rates are typically reserved for borrowers with the strongest credit. That’s why average interest rates can be notably higher than the minimum rates published online.

Below is a spread of average personal loan rates by credit score.

Putting average interest rates for your credit score into a loan interest calculator can help you estimate what a loan might cost you in monthly payments and long-term interest.

What Factors Influence Your Interest Rates

Below are factors about your finances and loan terms that help determine your interest rate.

  • Your credit score
  • Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio
  • Your loan amount
  • Your loan term length

If your interest rates are high when applying for a loan, here are potential reasons:

  • You have negative records, such as delinquencies, on your credit report.
  • You have high debt balances, and a large part of your income goes to debt payments.
  • Your credit score is below 670, which would put you into the “fair” or “poor” range.

How To Get a Personal Loan With Low Interest Rates 

The key to obtaining a low-interest personal loan is showing lenders that you’re creditworthy.

Having strong credit and stable income means you’re a lower-risk borrower. Lenders are more willing to lend money cheaply to people who are more likely to repay their debt.

Below are steps you could take to increase your chances of getting a low rate.

  • Pay down revolving debt. Reducing balances on your credit cards can lower your credit utilization ratio, which may improve your credit score.
  • Lower your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Your DTI is calculated by totaling your gross monthly income. Then divide that sum by your total monthly minimum debt payments and multiply by 100. You can get approved for a personal loan with a DTI of up to 50%, depending on the lender. However, it’s ideal to have a DTI below 36%. Eliminating debt payments could lower your DTI.
  • Add a co-signer or co-borrower to your loan. Adding someone to your loan who has great credit can be a shortcut to getting better rates when you don’t have a good score. But note that missed payments on your loan also affects their credit, so it’s important to pay on time if you get approved for a loan.
  • Shop around. Compare rates and credit requirements from two to four lenders to get an idea of what rates are out there for borrowers with your credit profile. Many lenders let you prequalify on their websites without a hard credit check, so you can review personalized offers.
  • Submit loan documents as required. If you find a loan you want to apply for, the second application step is usually submitting paperwork, such as your tax documents, pay stubs or other forms, to prove your income.
Pro Tip

How To Compare Personal Loans

Comparing interest rates can help you identify the lowest borrowing costs, but there are other factors to consider when shopping for a loan.

Fees

Loan terms

Loan amounts

Funding speeds

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a good interest rate for a personal loan?

A good rate for a personal loan varies by person, but the lowest rate you can currently get on a loan is around 6% to 7% APR. That said, the best rate for you will depend on your credit score and other factors.

What is the current interest rate for a personal loan?

Interest rates vary depending on factors like your income, credit and loan terms. At a broader level, interest rates are impacted by overall market trends.

How much would a $10,000 loan cost per month?

The monthly payment for a $10,000 loan depends on your interest rate and loan term. If you have a $10,000 loan with an 8% APR over a 24-month term, the monthly payment would be $452.27. The total interest paid would be $854.55.

How can I improve my chances of getting a lower rate?

You can improve your chances of getting a lower interest rate by strengthening your credit (or applying with a co-signer) and reducing your debt-to-income ratio before applying for a loan. These steps can help you appear less like a credit risk, potentially leading to better interest rates.

Next Up In Personal Loans