Best of
7 Best Student Loans of December 2019
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Use federal loans first, then the best private student loan companies below to fill any gap.
Summary of Best Student Loans of December 2019
Lender | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Min. Credit Score | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Check Rate on Department of Education's website | 4.53 - 6.08% | N/A | None | Check Rate on Department of Education's website |
Ascent Private Student Loan Check Rate on Ascent's website | 4.21 - 13.12% | 3.22 - 12.54% | 600 | Check Rate on Ascent's website |
![]() RISLA Private Student Loan Check Rate on RISLA's website | 3.64 - 5.59% | N/A | 680 | Check Rate on RISLA's website |
![]() Sallie Mae Private Student Loan Check Rate on Sallie Mae's website | 4.74 - 11.35% | 2.75 - 10.22% | Does not disclose | Check Rate on Sallie Mae's website |
![]() MPOWER Private Student Loan Check Rate on MPOWER's website | 7.52 - 13.63% | N/A | N/A | Check Rate on MPOWER's website |
College Ave Private Student Loan Check Rate on College Ave's website | 4.54 - 11.98% | 2.84 - 10.97% | Mid-600s | Check Rate on College Ave's website |
College Ave Parent Student Loan Check Rate on College Ave's website | 5.96 - 11.91% | 5.23 - 11.76% | Mid-600s | Check Rate on College Ave's website |
Lender | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Min. Credit Score | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Check Rate on Department of Education's website | 4.53 - 6.08% | N/A | None | Check Rate on Department of Education's website |
Ascent Private Student Loan Check Rate on Ascent's website | 4.21 - 13.12% | 3.22 - 12.54% | 600 | Check Rate on Ascent's website |
![]() RISLA Private Student Loan Check Rate on RISLA's website | 3.64 - 5.59% | N/A | 680 | Check Rate on RISLA's website |
![]() Sallie Mae Private Student Loan Check Rate on Sallie Mae's website | 4.74 - 11.35% | 2.75 - 10.22% | Does not disclose | Check Rate on Sallie Mae's website |
![]() MPOWER Private Student Loan Check Rate on MPOWER's website | 7.52 - 13.63% | N/A | N/A | Check Rate on MPOWER's website |
College Ave Private Student Loan Check Rate on College Ave's website | 4.54 - 11.98% | 2.84 - 10.97% | Mid-600s | Check Rate on College Ave's website |
College Ave Parent Student Loan Check Rate on College Ave's website | 5.96 - 11.91% | 5.23 - 11.76% | Mid-600s | Check Rate on College Ave's website |
Our pick for
Overall
Federal student loans don't require a co-signer and offer unmatched payment flexibility. Use them first.

on Department of Education's website
Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Department of Education's website
Our picks for
Best private student loan
These lenders offer competitive rates, generous repayment options and borrower protections.
on Ascent's website
Ascent Private Student Loan
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Ascent's website

on RISLA's website
RISLA Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on RISLA's website
Our pick for
Private student loan without a co-signer
Federal loans don't require a co-signer; if they are an option, use them first.
on Ascent's website
Ascent Private Student Loan
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Ascent's website
Our pick for
Part-time students
Only a few companies offer loans to students who attend less than half-time.

on Sallie Mae's website
Sallie Mae Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Sallie Mae's website
Our pick for
Bad or no credit
Federal loans don't require credit history; neither do these lenders.
on Ascent's website
Ascent Private Student Loan
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Ascent's website
Our pick for
International students without a co-signer

on MPOWER's website
MPOWER Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on MPOWER's website
Our pick for
International students with a co-signer
on Ascent's website
Ascent Private Student Loan
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Ascent's website
Our pick for
Law school
Compare rates with federal PLUS loans.

on Sallie Mae's website
Sallie Mae Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on Sallie Mae's website
Our picks for
Graduate students
Compare rates with federal PLUS loans.
on College Ave's website
College Ave Private Student Loan
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on College Ave's website

on RISLA's website
RISLA Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on RISLA's website

on MPOWER's website
MPOWER Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on MPOWER's website
Our picks for
Parent loans for college
on College Ave's website
College Ave Parent Student Loan
Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on College Ave's website

on RISLA's website
RISLA Private Student Loan

Fixed APR
Variable APR
Min. Credit Score
on RISLA's website
Best private student loan companies
Chances are that multiple private lenders offer the kind of student loan you want. We've gathered them by category below. Compare offers from as many as you can before signing on the dotted line.
Last updated on December 12, 2019
Methodology
NerdWallet student loan experts evaluated more than 50 data points across five categories to see which student loan companies rank highest among all lenders we review. Here’s the criteria:
- Enable faster repayment: Lenders score highly if they offer a variety of term lengths and make extra payments easy.
- Disclose requirements and limit costs: Lenders score highly if they limit fees and interest rates, are transparent about their underwriting criteria and allow borrowers to get personalized rate estimates before applying.
- Serve a range of borrowers: Lenders score highly if they cater to customers in varying locations, in different financial situations and with varying citizenship statuses.
- Offer payment flexibility: Lenders score highly if they offer longer than 12-month forbearance periods, in-school and military deferment, and any other flexible policies that help borrowers during tough times.
- Supports customers: Lenders score highly if they assign borrowers an advisor, offer multiple ways to get in touch and have in-house customer service. Websites should display full APR ranges, fees and forbearance policies.
Our best private student loan selections drill down on certain loan types or loan features and present the highest-rated lender meeting those criteria.
To recap our selections...
NerdWallet's Best Student Loans of December 2019
- Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan: Best for Overall
- Ascent Private Student Loan: Best for Best private student loan + Private student loan without a co-signer + Bad or no credit + International students with a co-signer
- RISLA Private Student Loan: Best for Best private student loan + Graduate students + Parent loans for college
- Sallie Mae Private Student Loan: Best for Part-time students + Law school
- MPOWER Private Student Loan: Best for International students without a co-signer + Graduate students
- College Ave Private Student Loan: Best for Graduate students
- College Ave Parent Student Loan: Best for Parent loans for college