BEST OF

7 Best Pharmacy School Loan Refinance Options of January 2021

Refinancing pharmacy school loans can be a money-saving strategy for pharmacists who work in the private sector.

Ryan LaneOctober 30, 2020
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Refinancing pharmacy school loans can make sense if you're working full-time, have good credit and a relatively low debt-to-income ratio. But don't refinance federal loans if you're interested in Public Service Loan Forgiveness or income-driven repayment — refinanced loans aren't eligible for those programs.

Our picks for student loan refinancing for pharmacists are below, as well as information that can help you decide whether refinancing is right for you.

Summary of Best Pharmacy School Loan Refinance Options of January 2021

SoFi Student Loan Refinance
Check Rate

on SoFi's website

SoFi Student Loan Refinance

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
SoFi Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR

2.99 - 6.88%

Variable APR

2.25 - 6.43%

Min. Credit Score

Does not disclose

Check Rate

on SoFi's website

Variable APR

2.25 - 6.43%

Key facts

Best for borrowers who want plenty of benefits with their refinanced student loan.

Pros

  • You can refinance parent PLUS loans in your name.

  • You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

  • Additional perks like career planning, job search assistance and entrepreneurship support available.

Cons

  • No co-signer release available.

  • Loan size minimum is higher than most lenders.

Qualifications

  • Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 700+.

  • Loan amounts: $5,000, up to your total outstanding loan balance.

  • Must have a degree: Yes, an associate degree or higher.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years

Disclaimer

Fixed rates from 2.99% APR to 6.88% APR (with AutoPay). Variable rates from 2.25% APR to 6.43% APR (with AutoPay). Interest rates on variable rate loans are capped at either 8.95% or 9.95% depending on term of loan. See APR examples and terms. Lowest variable rate of 2.25% APR assumes current 1 month LIBOR rate of 0.15% plus 2.35% margin minus 0.25% ACH discount. Not all borrowers receive the lowest rate. If approved for a loan, the fixed or variable interest rate offered will depend on your creditworthiness, and the term of the loan and other factors, and will be within the ranges of rates listed above. For the SoFi variable rate loan, the 1-month LIBOR index will adjust monthly and the loan payment will be re-amortized and may change monthly. APRs for variable rate loans may increase after origination if the LIBOR index increases. See eligibility details. 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. The discount will not reduce the monthly payment; instead, the interest savings are applied to the principal loan balance, which may help pay the loan down faster. Enrolling in autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi. *To check the rates and terms you qualify for, SoFi conducts a soft credit inquiry. Unlike hard credit inquiries, soft credit inquiries (or soft credit pulls) do not impact your credit score.Terms and Conditions Apply. SOFI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE.
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CommonBond Student Loan Refinance
Check Rate

on CommonBond's website

CommonBond Student Loan Refinance

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
CommonBond Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR

2.98 - 5.79%

Variable APR

1.99 - 5.61%

Min. Credit Score

680

Check Rate

on CommonBond's website

Variable APR

1.99 - 5.61%

Key facts

Best for borrowers who have a bachelor's degree and value repayment flexibility.

Pros

  • Forbearance of 24 months is longer than many lenders offer.

  • You can refinance parent PLUS loans in your name.

  • You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Cons

  • Loans aren’t available in Mississippi and Nevada.

Qualifications

  • Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Did not disclose.

  • Loan amounts: $5,000 to $500,000.

  • Must have a degree: Yes, at least a bachelor's degree.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years

Disclaimer

Offered terms are subject to change and state law restriction. Loans are offered by CommonBond Lending, LLC (NMLS # 1175900), NMLS Consumer Access. If you are approved for a loan, the interest rate offered will depend on your credit profile, your application, the loan term selected and will be within the ranges of rates shown. All Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed assume borrowers enroll in auto pay and account for the 0.25% reduction in interest rate. All variable rates are based on a 1-month LIBOR assumption of 0.16% effective Sep 1, 2020 and may increase after consummation.
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Earnest Student Loan Refinance
Check Rate

on Earnest's website

Earnest Student Loan Refinance

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Earnest Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR

2.98 - 5.79%

Variable APR

1.99 - 5.64%

Min. Credit Score

650

Check Rate

on Earnest's website

Variable APR

1.99 - 5.64%

Key facts

Best for borrowers who want to customize their repayment schedule to pay off debt fast.

Pros

  • Customizable payments and loan terms.

  • Option to skip one payment every 12 months.

  • You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Cons

  • You can’t apply with a co-signer.

  • Loans aren't available in Kentucky and Nevada.

Qualifications

  • Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 760.

  • Loan amounts: $5,000 to $500,000.

  • Must have a degree: No, but must be within six months of graduation and have income or a job.

Available Term Lengths

5 to 20 years

Disclaimer

Specific Annual Percentage Rate (APRs) offered within these ranges will depend on a variety of factors including your creditworthiness and other application details. Annual percentage rates (APRs) reflect 0.25% discount for optional enrollment in autopay. Your approval for an Earnest Loan is subject to the full underwriting of your loan application. Read more about qualifying for a loan with Earnest here: https://www.earnest.com/eligibility
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Education Loan Finance Student Loan Refinance
Check Rate

on Education Loan Finance's website

Education Loan Finance Student Loan Refinance

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Education Loan Finance Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR

2.79 - 5.99%

Variable APR

2.39 - 6.01%

Min. Credit Score

680

Check Rate

on Education Loan Finance's website

Variable APR

2.39 - 6.01%

Key facts

Best for borrowers who value good customer service.

Pros

  • You are assigned a personal loan advisor.

  • You can refinance parent PLUS loans in your name.

Cons

  • Payment postponement isn’t available for borrowers who return to school.

  • The minimum amount to refinance is more than many lenders require.

  • No co-signer release available.

Qualifications

  • Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 774.

  • Loan amounts: $15,000 up to your total outstanding loan balance.

  • Must have a degree: Yes, at least a bachelor’s degree.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years

Disclaimer

Subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply. https://www.elfi.com/terms/
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Discover Student Loan Refinance
Check Rate

on Discover's website

Discover Student Loan Refinance

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Discover Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR

3.49 - 6.99%

Variable APR

1.87 - 5.87%

Min. Credit Score

Does not disclose

Check Rate

on Discover's website

Variable APR

1.87 - 5.87%

Key facts

Best for borrowers who may need wiggle room on payments, or those who didn't graduate.

Pros

  • No late fees.

  • More flexible repayment options for struggling borrowers than other lenders.

  • Can refinance without a degree.

Cons

  • Only 10- and 20-year repayment terms available.

  • No co-signer release available.

  • You can't see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Qualifications

  • Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: Did not disclose.

  • Must have a degree: No.

  • Loan amounts: $5,000 to $150,000. Aggregate loan limits apply. Higher limits may apply for specific fields of study.

Available Term Lengths

10 or 20 years

Disclaimer

Lowest APRs shown for Discover Student Loans are available for the most creditworthy applicants for the Discover Private Consolidation Loan and include a 0.25% interest rate reduction while enrolled in automatic payments. The fixed interest rate is set at the time of application and does not change during the life of the loan. The variable interest rate is calculated based on the 3-Month LIBOR index plus the applicable margin percentage. For variable interest rate loans, the 3-Month LIBOR is 0.250% as of January 1, 2021. Discover Student Loans may adjust the rate quarterly on each January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 (the “interest rate change date”), based on the 3-Month LIBOR Index, published in the Money Rates section of the Wall Street Journal 15 days prior to the interest rate change date, rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent (0.125% or 0.00125). This may cause the monthly payments to increase, the number of payments to increase or both. Our lowest APR is only available to customers with the best credit and other factors. Your APR will be determined after you apply. It will be based on your credit history, which repayment option you choose and other factors, including your cosigner’s credit history (if applicable). Learn more about Discover Student Loans interest rates at DiscoverStudentLoans.com/Rates.
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LendKey Student Loan Refinance
Check Rate

on LendKey's website

LendKey Student Loan Refinance

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
LendKey Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR

2.95 - 8.77%

Variable APR

1.99 - 8.56%

Min. Credit Score

680

Check Rate

on LendKey's website

Variable APR

1.99 - 8.56%

Key facts

Best for borrowers who prefer to work with a community bank or credit union, rather than a big bank.

Pros

  • Forbearance of 18 months for 15- and 20-year loan terms is longer than many lenders.

  • You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Cons

  • Loans aren't available in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, Rhode Island or West Virginia.

  • No payment postponement available if borrowers return to school or serve in the military.

Qualifications

  • Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 751.

  • Loan amounts: $5,000 to $300,000, depending on the higest degree earned.

  • Must have a degree: Yes, at least an associate degree.

Available Term Lengths

5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years

Disclaimer

See LendKey's full terms and conditions at https://www.lendkey.com/disclaimers
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PenFed Student Loan Refinance
Check Rate

on Purefy's website

PenFed Student Loan Refinance

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
PenFed Student Loan Refinance

Fixed APR

2.99 - 5.15%

Variable APR

2.19 - 4.49%

Min. Credit Score

670

Check Rate

on Purefy's website

Variable APR

2.19 - 4.49%

Key facts

Best for married couples who want to refinance their student loans into a single one.

Pros

  • Married couples can refinance student loans into a single loan.

  • You can refinance parent PLUS loans in your name.

  • You can see if you’ll qualify and what rate you’ll get without a hard credit check.

Cons

  • Estate is still responsible for the loan if the borrower dies.

Qualifications

  • Typical credit score of approved borrowers or co-signers: 773.

  • Loan amounts: $7,500 to $300,000.

  • Must have a degree: Yes, at least a bachelor’s degree.

Available Term Lengths

5, 8, 12 or 15 years

Disclaimer

Rates and offers current as December 15, 2020. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the cost of credit calculating the interest rate, loan amount, repayment term and the timing of payments. Fixed Rates range from 2.99% APR to 5.15% APR and Variable Rates range from 2.19% APR to 4.49% APR. Both Fixed and Variable Rates will vary based on application terms, level of degree and presence of a co-signer. These rates are subject to additional terms and conditions and rates are subject to change at any time without notice. For Variable Rate student loans, the rate will never exceed 9.00% for 5 year and 8 year loans and 10.00% for 12 and 15 years loans (the maximum allowable for this loan). Minimum variable rate will be 2.00%. These rates are subject to additional terms and conditions, and rates are subject to change at any time without notice. Such changes will only apply to applications taken after the effective date of change.
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Can you refinance pharmacy school loans?

You can refinance federal and private pharmacy school loans, but only with a private lender. When you refinance, a private lender will pay off your existing debt and issue you a new loan — ideally with a lower interest rate.

Reducing your interest rate can make a five-figure difference when you have six-figure pharmacy school debt. For instance, refinancing $179,514 — the average pharmacist student loan debt among the class of 2020 — from a 7% APR to a 5% APR would save $180 a month and more than $21,600 total, assuming a 10-year loan term.

Should you refinance pharmacy school loans?

Refinancing is one strategy for repaying pharmacy school loans. You should consider this option in the following instances:

  • You’re employed full time. Unlike doctors and dentists, pharmacists don’t have the option to refinance pharmacy student loans during a one-year or two-year post-graduate residency.

  • You have good credit. You'll need a score at least in the high 600s to qualify. But generally, the higher your score, the lower the rate you'll get.

  • You have private student loans. There's little downside to refinancing private student loans you took out for pharmacy school. If you can qualify for a lower interest rate, you can start saving money immediately.

  • You have federal loans, but work in the private sector. If you don't work for a nonprofit or in the public sector, you may want need to hang onto federal student loan benefits like Public Service Loan Forgiveness and income-driven payment plans.

» MORE: 7 pharmacist loan forgiveness programs

Refinance lenders will also look at your debt-to-income ratio, or your total monthly financial obligations compared to your income. The required debt-to-income ratio for student loan refinancing varies by lender but is generally 50% or less.

Your debt-to-income ratio could be too high if you have the average pharmacist student loan debt of $179,514 and the average pharmacist salary, $125,510. But lenders still may be willing to work with you if you have steady employment and an otherwise strong financial situation. If not, you may need to pay down some debt or increase your income before applying to refinance.

Last updated on October 30, 2020

To recap our selections...

NerdWallet's Best Pharmacy School Loan Refinance Options of January 2021