Does Capital One Offer Student Loans?

You can’t get a student loan from Capital One; consider these alternative lenders instead.

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Capital One does not offer student loans. If you need a private student loan for college or want to refinance your existing loans, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Few banks offer student loans. If Capital One is your bank of choice, explore all your private loan options to get the best deal possible.

Capital One private student loan alternatives

You can’t get a student loan from Capital One, which is the case at most big-name financial institutions, including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and U.S. Bank. Here are some alternatives:

  • Banks and credit unions. If you prefer a brick-and-mortar bank, Citizens Bank student loans come with a loyalty discount for existing customers and multiyear approval. PNC Bank also offers private student loans, as do community banks and credit unions via LendKey.

  • Online lenders. Many online-only lenders offer private student loans, including Ascent, College Ave and Earnest. Ascent offers traditional credit-based loans that may require a co-signer, as well as loans based on your future income if you want or need to qualify on your own.

  • State-based agencies. These nonprofit agencies offer private student loans, often outside their home state. For example, loans from the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority are available nationwide, and Advantage Education Loans, a product of the Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corp., lends in 32 states.

Review all your options when considering private student loans to ensure you get the lowest rate you can qualify for.

Also, be sure to exhaust federal financial aid before turning to any private loan. Government student loans have benefits that private options lack, including the option to make payments based on your post-graduation income and loan forgiveness programs.

Apply for federal student loans by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Compare private student loans

Citizens Private Student Loan
Ascent Private Student Loan
RISLA Private Student Loan
NerdWallet rating 
NerdWallet rating 
NerdWallet rating 
Fixed APR

4.99-14.29%

Fixed APR

3.34-14.51%

Ascent Student Loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 09/01/2022 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 2.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest APRs require interest-only payments, the shortest loan term, and a cosigner, and are only available to our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores.

Fixed APR

4.05-8.64%

Variable APR

5.17-14.83%

Variable APR

2.46-12.98%

Ascent Student Loans are funded by Bank of Lake Mills, Member FDIC. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions may apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Rates are effective as of 09/01/2022 and reflect an automatic payment discount of either 0.25% (for credit-based loans) OR 2.00% (for undergraduate outcomes-based loans). Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: AscentFunding.com/Rates. 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Cosigned Credit-Based Loan student must meet certain minimum credit criteria. The minimum score required is subject to change and may depend on the credit score of your cosigner. Lowest APRs require interest-only payments, the shortest loan term, and a cosigner, and are only available to our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores.

Variable APR

N/A

Min. credit score

Does not disclose

Min. credit score

680

Min. credit score

680

Capital One student loan refinancing alternatives

You can't refinance student loans with Capital One. If you want to do this, compare student loan refinance companies to get the best rate possible and find a lender that meets your repayment needs:

  • If you want to pay off loans fast. Pentagon Federal Credit Union, or PenFed, offers short terms and features like automated biweekly payments that can speed up repayment.

  • If you didn’t graduate with a degree. Advantage Education Loan doesn’t require an associate or bachelor’s degree to be eligible to refinance, but loans aren’t available in all states.

NerdWallet recommends pre-qualifying with multiple refinance lenders before applying. That way, you’ll know if you might be approved and at what interest rate without affecting your credit.

Capital One student benefits

Capital One student loans aren’t available, but the bank has other products and services that may benefit college students, including:

  • First-Gen Focus. This free nationwide program lets incoming first-generation college students access virtual workshops, work with mentors and explore careers. You can apply with Capital One here.

Student loan refinancing from our partners

SoFi Student Refinancing logo
Check Rate

on SoFi

SoFi

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
SoFi Student Refinancing logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Fixed APR 

3.99% - 9.99%

Min. credit score 

650

Check Rate

on SoFi

Earnest Student Loan Refinance logo
Check Rate

on Earnest

Earnest

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Earnest Student Loan Refinance logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Fixed APR 

3.95% - 8.99%

Min. credit score 

650

Check Rate

on Earnest

Splash Financial Student Loan Refinance logo
Check Rate

on Splash Financial

Splash Financial

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Splash Financial Student Loan Refinance logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Fixed APR 

5.94% - 8.95%

Min. credit score 

650

Check Rate

on Splash Financial

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