Personal Loan Rates by Credit Score (2026)
Your credit score is the primary driver of your personal loan rate. Here are average APRs by credit tier based on Bankrate and NerdWallet data:
Excellent (720+)
6–13%
Best offers available
Good (690–719)
13–18%
Competitive rates
Fair (630–689)
17–24%
Shop multiple lenders
Poor (Below 630)
24–36%
Consider credit unions
Top Personal Loan Lenders — Rate Comparison
Rates as of March 2026. Always get pre-qualified from multiple lenders — it's a soft inquiry and won't affect your credit score:
LightStream6.49% – 25.99%None
SoFi8.99% – 29.99%None
Discover7.99% – 24.99%None
Upstart6.20% – 35.99%0–12%
LendingClub8.98% – 35.99%3–8%
Credit Union7.99% – 18.00%Low/None
Rates vary by credit profile. Pre-qualify to see your actual offer without affecting your credit score.
Personal Loan vs. Credit Card: Which Costs Less?
For debt consolidation, a personal loan almost always wins. Here's why — on a $15,000 balance:
Credit card min. payment (24%)$375$18,000+
Personal loan 3yr @ 12.26%$499$2,964
Personal loan 5yr @ 12.26%$335$5,100
Understanding Origination Fees
An origination fee is a one-time processing charge — typically 1%–12% of the loan amount — deducted from your funds before you receive them. You still repay the full loan amount.
Always compare APR, not just interest rate. A 10% loan with a 5% origination fee can cost more than a 12% loan with no fees, especially on short terms. Our calculator shows your effective APR when you enter an origination fee.
5 Tips to Get the Lowest Personal Loan Rate
- Improve your credit score first. Even 30 points can unlock a 2–3% rate reduction. Pay down credit card balances and dispute any errors on your report.
- Compare at least 3–5 lenders. Rates vary by 5–10% for the same borrower. Use pre-qualification (soft pull, no credit impact) to compare real offers.
- Consider credit unions. Credit union rates average 10.72% vs. 12.06% at banks — and are capped at 18% for federal credit unions by law.
- Choose a shorter term. 3-year loans have lower rates than 5-year loans for most lenders. The higher monthly payment builds equity faster.
- Add a co-signer. If your credit is fair, a co-signer with excellent credit can unlock much lower rates — but they're equally responsible for repayment.