Independent reviews · updated July 2026

Reviews

Every loan in our catalog, ranked and rated.

#1

SoFi

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student, debt, debt-consolidation, credit, mortgage
Our pick
★★★★◐4.6

Top pick when you qualify for SoFi’s best tiers.

  • Competitive refinance rates for strong credit
  • Unemployment protection options
#2

Earnest

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student
★★★★◐4.5

Excellent refinance option if Earnest approves your profile.

  • Skip-a-payment flexibility
  • Rate check with soft credit pull
#3

Credible

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student, debt, debt-consolidation
★★★★☆4.4

Best starting point to compare private loan/refinance offers side by side.

  • Compare multiple lenders in one place
  • Soft credit check to shop rates
#4

LendingClub

debt, debt-consolidation, loan, loans, finance
★★★★☆4.2

Strong consolidation loan option when approval/APR works.

  • Fixed-rate personal loans
  • Online application
#5

College Ave

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student
★★★★☆4.3

Strong private lender for in-school borrowing with a cosigner.

  • In-school and parent loan options
  • Rewards / cash-back promotions at times
#6

Upgrade

debt, debt-consolidation, loan, loans, credit, finance
★★★★☆4.1

Worth quoting next to LendingClub and SoFi.

  • Personal loan + card products
  • Soft-credit rate check style flows
#7

Sallie Mae

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student
★★★★☆4.1

Reliable private option — shop rates against newer fintech lenders.

  • Wide product lineup
  • Cosigner release options
#8

Laurel Road

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student
★★★★☆4.4

Standout refinance pick for high-income professional grads.

  • Strong for high-earning grads
  • Relationship banking via KeyBank
#9

Splash Financial

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student
★★★★☆4.2

Solid refinance marketplace alongside Credible.

  • Multi-lender refinance matching
  • Soft credit check shopping
#10

LendKey

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student
★★★★☆4.2

Worth checking if you want credit-union pricing via one portal.

  • Credit-union rate potential
  • Refinance and in-school options
#11

ELFI

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student
★★★★☆4.3

Quietly strong private/refinance alternative to the big names.

  • Competitive fixed/variable options
  • Dedicated student-loan focus
#12

Ascent

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student
★★★★☆4.2

Good private-loan option when federal aid isn’t enough.

  • Student-centric underwriting paths
  • Cosigner release features
#13

Discover Student Loans

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student
★★★★☆4.0

Straightforward private lender — compare APRs before you commit.

  • Cash-reward rewards on some loans
  • No origination fees
#14

Nelnet

loan, loans, student-loans, refinance, finance, student
★★★◐☆3.8

Important servicer to know; shop refinance elsewhere when rates matter most.

  • Handles large federal portfolios
  • Repayment / forgiveness navigation tools

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