Top 10 College Loan Providers
By Richard "Rick" Callahan | Published: 2025-03-20 | Category: College Loan Options For Students
About College Loan Options For Students
Provides financial aid options for students pursuing higher education, covering tuition, fees, and living expenses through various loan types. These loans help bridge the gap between educational costs and available resources like savings, scholarships, and federal aid.
How We Evaluated
Providers were evaluated based on interest rates (fixed/variable availability and competitiveness), repayment option flexibility, loan variety (undergraduate, graduate, parent, refinancing), customer service reputation, and unique borrower benefits.
Rating Criteria
- → Interest Rates
- → Repayment Options
- → Loan Variety
- → Customer Service
- → Borrower Benefits
The Best College Loan Options For Students
Credible
Visit Website →An online marketplace that allows borrowers to compare personalized loan offers from multiple lenders for student loans and refinancing.
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Parents, Refinancing Borrowers
Service Offerings
Student Loan Marketplace
Compare prequalified rates for private undergraduate, graduate, and parent loans from various partner lenders.
- Shows fixed and variable rate options
Student Loan Refinancing Marketplace
Compare offers from multiple lenders to refinance existing student debt.
- Shows fixed and variable rate options
Scorecard (Overall: 7.2 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Interest Rate
Displays potential APRs from partner lenders based on user input. Actual rates determined by the chosen lender.
Fees
Credible itself is free to use. Fees depend on the specific lender chosen through the platform.
Pros
- + Allows easy comparison of multiple lenders with one application
- + Prequalification check uses a soft credit pull
- + Streamlines the shopping process
- + Wide network of partner lenders
Cons
- - Is a marketplace, not a direct lender; final terms and service depend on the selected lender
- - Benefits vary significantly by lender chosen
Verdict
"An excellent tool for comparison shopping, helping borrowers efficiently find competitive rates from various private lenders without impacting their credit score initially."
PNC Bank
Visit Website →A national bank providing private student loan options for undergraduate, graduate, and health professional students.
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Health Profession Students, Refinancing Borrowers
Service Offerings
PNC Solution Loan for Undergraduates
Funding for undergraduate education.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Cosigner generally recommended/required
PNC Solution Loan for Graduates
Loans for graduate and professional degrees.
- Fixed and variable rates
PNC Solution Loan for Health Professions
Specific loan options for medical, dental, and other health students.
- Deferred repayment options
Refinance Loans
Consolidate existing student debt.
- Fixed and variable rates
Scorecard (Overall: 7.0 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Interest Rate
Offers fixed and variable APRs. Discounts available for autopay. Check website for current ranges.
Fees
No application or origination fees.
Pros
- + Co-signer release option available after 48 months of on-time payments
- + Rate discounts for automatic payments
- + Offered by a large, established bank
Cons
- - Co-signer release requires a long period of payments (48 months)
- - Website may be less intuitive than some fintech lenders
Verdict
"A dependable choice from a major bank, offering standard loan products with the potential for rate discounts and co-signer release."
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Citizens Bank
Visit Website →A large regional bank offering private student loans and refinancing options, including a multi-year approval feature.
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Parents, Refinancing Borrowers
Service Offerings
Student Loan
For undergraduate and graduate students.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Requires cosigner for most students
Parent Loan
For parents borrowing for their child's education.
- Fixed and variable rates
Student Loan Refinancing
Consolidate private and federal student loans.
- Fixed and variable rates
Scorecard (Overall: 7.0 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Interest Rate
Offers fixed and variable APRs. Potential loyalty and automatic payment discounts. Check website for current ranges.
Fees
No application or origination fees.
Pros
- + Multi-Year Approval option simplifies future borrowing
- + Potential rate discounts for existing bank customers
- + Co-signer release available after 36 consecutive on-time payments
Cons
- - Co-signer release requires a significant number of payments
- - May not be available in all states (primarily focused on specific regions, but offers online nationwide)
Verdict
"A reliable option from an established bank, especially appealing for families planning to borrow over multiple years due to the multi-year approval feature."
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SoFi
Visit Website →A financial technology company offering a range of financial products, including private student loans and refinancing, known for member benefits.
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Parents, Refinancing Borrowers
Service Offerings
Undergraduate Student Loans
Loans for students seeking bachelor's or associate's degrees.
- Fixed and variable rates
Graduate Student Loans
Funding for master's, doctoral, MBA, Law, and Health Profession degrees.
- Fixed and variable rates
Parent Loans
Allows parents to borrow for their child's education.
- Fixed and variable rates
Student Loan Refinancing
Consolidate existing private and federal student loans.
- Fixed and variable rates
Scorecard (Overall: 7.8 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Interest Rate
Competitive fixed and variable APRs. Check website for current ranges.
Fees
No origination fees, late fees, or prepayment penalties.
Pros
- + Extensive member benefits (career coaching, networking events, financial planning tools)
- + No fees charged
- + Offers loans for various degree types
- + Rate check with soft credit pull
Cons
- - Often requires strong credit or a qualified cosigner
- - Historically stronger focus on refinancing
Verdict
"A great option for borrowers with good credit who value added benefits like career services and community resources alongside competitive rates."
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Earnest
Visit Website →A fintech lender offering private student loans and refinancing with a focus on flexible repayment options and a strong digital experience.
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Refinancing Borrowers
Service Offerings
Undergraduate Private Student Loans
Funding for bachelor's or associate's degrees.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Multiple repayment options
Graduate Private Student Loans
Loans for advanced degrees.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Covers various professional programs
Student Loan Refinancing
Consolidate existing student debt.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Rate check with soft credit pull
Scorecard (Overall: 7.8 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Interest Rate
Offers competitive fixed and variable APRs. Check website for current ranges.
Fees
No origination, application, or prepayment fees.
Pros
- + Longer grace period (9 months) than many private lenders
- + Flexible repayment: option to skip one payment per year
- + Rate check without hard credit inquiry
- + No fees
Cons
- - Not available in all states
- - Requires good credit or a creditworthy cosigner
Verdict
"A strong contender known for its borrower-friendly features like the extended grace period and payment flexibility, ideal for tech-savvy borrowers."
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Ascent Student Loans
Visit Website →A student loan provider offering both traditional cosigned loans and unique non-cosigned options based on future income potential or academic merit.
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, DACA Students, International Students (with U.S. Cosigner)
Service Offerings
Cosigned Student Loans
Traditional loans requiring a creditworthy cosigner.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Available to wider range of students
Non-Cosigned Outcomes-Based Loan
Available to Juniors and Seniors without a cosigner based on factors like GPA and future income potential.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Stricter eligibility
Non-Cosigned Credit-Based Loan
Available to students who meet credit requirements without a cosigner.
- Fixed and variable rates
Scorecard (Overall: 7.6 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Interest Rate
Offers fixed and variable APRs. Rates vary significantly between cosigned and non-cosigned options. Check website for current ranges.
Fees
No application or prepayment fees. Potential origination fee on certain non-cosigned loans.
Pros
- + Offers non-cosigned loan options for eligible upperclassmen
- + Potential 1% cash back graduation reward
- + Benefits like career coaching
- + Considers DACA students
Cons
- - Non-cosigned loans have stricter eligibility and potentially higher rates
- - Relatively new company compared to established banks
Verdict
"A standout choice for creditworthy upperclassmen seeking loans without a cosigner, offering unique outcomes-based underwriting."
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Discover Student Loans
Visit Website →Offered by the well-known financial services company, providing private student loans with borrower perks like cash rewards for good grades.
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Professional Students (MBA, Health, Law), Parents, Residency/Bar Exam Borrowers
Service Offerings
Undergraduate Loans
Loans for students pursuing bachelor's or associate's degrees.
- Fixed and variable rates
Graduate Loans
Funding for various graduate and professional programs.
- Fixed and variable rates
Specialized Loans
Specific loans for Health Professions, Law, MBA, Residency, and Bar Exam costs.
- Tailored terms
Parent Loans
Allows parents to borrow to cover educational expenses.
- Fixed and variable rates
Scorecard (Overall: 7.8 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Interest Rate
Offers fixed and variable APRs. Check website for current ranges.
Fees
No application, origination, or late fees.
Pros
- + Cash reward for good grades (typically 1% of loan amount)
- + No fees (application, origination, late, prepayment)
- + Covers up to 100% of school-certified costs
- + US-based loan specialists
Cons
- - No co-signer release option available while student is in school
- - Repayment options might be less flexible than some competitors
Verdict
"A solid no-fee option from a reputable brand, particularly appealing for students who perform well academically due to the cash reward."
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College Ave Student Loans
Visit Website →A fintech lender focused exclusively on student loans, known for flexible repayment options and a streamlined application process.
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Parents, Refinancing Borrowers
Service Offerings
Undergraduate Student Loans
Funding for associate's and bachelor's degrees.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Multiple in-school repayment choices
Graduate Student Loans
Loans for master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Options for MBA, Medical, Law, Dental
Parent Loans
Allows parents to borrow for their child's education costs.
- Fixed and variable rates
Student Loan Refinancing
Combines existing federal and private loans into a new loan.
- Fixed and variable rates
Scorecard (Overall: 8.0 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Interest Rate
Competitive fixed and variable APRs available. Check website for current ranges.
Fees
No origination fees or prepayment penalties.
Pros
- + Highly flexible repayment terms (choose loan length)
- + Variety of in-school repayment options
- + Quick online application process
- + Good customer service reputation
Cons
- - Shorter history than some competitors
- - Forbearance options may be less generous than federal loans
Verdict
"Excellent choice for borrowers seeking customized repayment plans and a modern, user-friendly experience."
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Sallie Mae
Visit Website →A major private student loan provider offering a wide range of loan products for various educational paths.
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Professional Students (Medical, Dental, Law, MBA), Parents, Career Training Students
Service Offerings
Undergraduate Loans
Covers costs for bachelor's, associate's degrees.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Multiple repayment options
Graduate School Loans
Loans for master's and doctoral degrees.
- Fixed and variable rates
- Deferred repayment options
Specialized Graduate Loans
Specific loans for MBA, Medical, Dental, Law students.
- Tailored terms and rates
Parent Loans
Allows parents or other creditworthy individuals to borrow for a student's education.
- Fixed and variable rates
Scorecard (Overall: 7.6 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Interest Rate
Offers both fixed and variable APRs. Rates depend on creditworthiness and loan terms. Check website for current ranges.
Fees
Generally no origination fees or prepayment penalties.
Pros
- + High loan limits (up to 100% of school-certified costs)
- + Co-signer release option available
- + Wide variety of loan types
- + Resources like scholarship search tools
Cons
- - No federal loan protections (like income-driven repayment)
- - Variable rates can increase
- - Co-signer release typically requires significant on-time payments
Verdict
"A strong private loan option with extensive loan choices and high limits, particularly good for those needing funding beyond federal caps."
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View Top Ranked Provider
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Federal Student Aid (U.S. Department of Education)
Visit Website →The primary source of federal financial aid for higher education in the United States, offering loans directly to students and parents.
Target Audience
Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Professional Students, Parents
Service Offerings
Direct Subsidized Loans
Need-based loans for undergraduates where the government pays interest during schooling and grace periods.
- Fixed interest rates
- Based on financial need
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Non-need-based loans for undergraduate and graduate students; interest accrues during all periods.
- Fixed interest rates
- Not based on financial need
Direct PLUS Loans
Loans for graduate/professional students (Grad PLUS) and parents of dependent undergraduates (Parent PLUS).
- Fixed interest rates
- Credit check required
Direct Consolidation Loans
Combines multiple federal student loans into one single loan.
- Fixed interest rate based on weighted average
Scorecard (Overall: 8.4 / 10.0)
Pricing Model
Interest Rate
Fixed rates set annually by Congress. Varies by loan type and disbursement period.
Fees
Origination fees may apply, particularly for PLUS loans.
Pros
- + Fixed interest rates
- + Income-driven repayment plans
- + Potential for loan forgiveness programs
- + No credit check for most student loans (except PLUS)
- + Deferment and forbearance options
Cons
- - Strict annual and aggregate borrowing limits
- - Origination fees on PLUS loans
- - Customer service managed by third-party servicers can vary
Verdict
"The essential starting point for student borrowers due to unparalleled repayment flexibility and borrower protections, despite borrowing limits."
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Final Recommendation
Choosing a student loan requires careful consideration of interest rates, repayment terms, and borrower protections. Federal loans offer unique benefits and should generally be prioritized. Private lenders provide options to cover remaining costs, with varying rates, terms, and perks; comparing multiple private offers is crucial.
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