1
S
SoFi
Private student loans and refinancing
- Terms of 5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 years
- Cosigner release after 12 months
- No required fees
Updated October 2026 · APR · term · cosigner release
Compare the Best Student Loans (2026)
Compare private student loans and refinance offers. Check rates with lenders that use a soft credit pull first.
About 2 minto see your matches
Freeno cost or obligation
By ZIP codeproviders that serve you
Step 1
Free to use. Answering does not affect your credit score.
Providers
Featured student loan providers
2
E
Earnest
Student loans with borrower-friendly features
- No late fees or origination fees
- Skip one payment every 12 months
- 9-month grace period
3
CA
College Ave
Student and parent loans
- Terms of 5, 10, 15 or 20 years
- No application, origination or prepayment fees
- Several in-school repayment options
Our top picks, explained
Best for refinancing
S
SoFi
Flexible terms and an early cosigner release option.
Pros and cons
- Rate discounts available
- 7-day customer service
- Minimum credit score not disclosed
Best for flexible payments
E
Earnest
Built-in flexibility if your income changes.
Pros and cons
- Payment skip option
- No late fees
- Minimum credit score of 650
Best for repayment options
CA
College Ave
More ways to structure payments than many lenders.
Pros and cons
- Many repayment choices
- Parent loans available
- Cosigner release takes longer
Side-by-side comparison
S | E | CA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot rating | |||
| Terms | 5–20 years | 5–15 years | 5–20 years |
| Cosigner release | After 12 months | – | After half the term |
| Fees | None required | No late or origination fees | Late fees only |
| Visit site | Visit site | Visit site |
Provider details were checked against public sources in October 2026; confirm current rates and terms with the provider. Listings may include providers that compensate The Top 10 Experts. Order and placement may be influenced by compensation. Advertiser disclosure.
Before you choose
What to compare
Use these points to compare any student loan provider, whether or not it appears on The Top 10 Experts.
APR
Fixed or variable rate
Fixed rates stay the same. Variable rates may start lower but can rise over the life of the loan.
Term
Repayment length
Shorter terms cost less in total interest. Longer terms lower the monthly payment.
Cosigner
Cosigner release
Some lenders release a cosigner after a run of on-time payments. Check the exact requirement.
Hardship
Deferment and forbearance
Private lenders vary widely in how they help if you lose income. Read this before you sign.
Common questions
Should I refinance federal loans?
Think carefully. Refinancing federal loans into a private loan ends access to federal programs such as income-driven repayment and federal forgiveness.
Will checking rates affect my credit?
Many lenders pre-qualify with a soft pull that does not affect your score. A full application usually triggers a hard inquiry.
Should I use federal loans first?
For new borrowing, most students should use federal aid first because of its fixed rates and borrower protections.
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