E
EarnestBest for flexible payments
Built-in flexibility if your income changes.
- Payment skip option
- No late fees
- Minimum credit score of 650
Student Loans · Updated October 2026
Earnest vs College Ave (2026)
Both are popular student loan choices. Here's how they compare on APR · term · cosigner release, and which one fits which shopper.
The quick verdict
- Earnest Best for flexible payments Built-in flexibility if your income changes.
- College Ave Best for repayment options More ways to structure payments than many lenders.
CA
College AveBest for repayment options
More ways to structure payments than many lenders.
- Many repayment choices
- Parent loans available
- Cosigner release takes longer
Side-by-side comparison
E | CA | |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot rating | ||
| Terms | 5–15 years | 5–20 years |
| Cosigner release | – | After half the term |
| Fees | No late or origination fees | Late fees only |
| Visit site | Visit site |
Also consider
- SoFi · Best for refinancing
What to compare before you choose
- Fixed or variable rate. Fixed rates stay the same. Variable rates may start lower but can rise over the life of the loan.
- Repayment length. Shorter terms cost less in total interest. Longer terms lower the monthly payment.
- Cosigner release. Some lenders release a cosigner after a run of on-time payments. Check the exact requirement.
- Deferment and forbearance. Private lenders vary widely in how they help if you lose income. Read this before you sign.
Compare all student loan providers that serve your ZIP code.
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