If your credit score is fair — that is, between 580 and 669 — you may qualify for a personal loan, but you’ll pay a higher rate than someone with good to excellent credit. You’ll also likely be on the hook for origination fees, which can run anywhere from 1% to 10% of the loan amount.
Keep in mind that lenders each have their own requirements to qualify, but they all consider your credit score as part of the application process. The lenders in this list offer some of the most competitive rates and terms available today, even if fair credit personal loans are somewhat harder to come by.
50+ personal loan lenders reviewed and rated by our team of experts
6+ types of personal loans analyzed
Evaluated under our unbiased rating system covering 9 categories
20+ years of combined experience covering financial topics
We're big on editorial independence. That means our content, reviews and ratings are fair, accurate and trustworthy. We don't let advertisers or partners sway our opinions. Our financial experts put in the hard work, spending hours researching and analyzing hundreds of products based on data-driven methodologies to find the best accounts and providers for you. Explore our editorial guidelines to see how we work.
Upstart is a fintech lender that accepts borrowers with credit scores as low as 300. It's one of the few lenders that considers your employment history and education when determining loan approval — making it ideal for students just out of college. Upstart offers loans between $1,000 and $75,000, and its rates start at a low 6.7% APR. But you could pay an origination fee of up to 12% on your loan if you have a lower credit score.
Min. credit score
300
APR
6.7% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$1,000 to $75,000
Not available in: Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, West Virginia
Upstart is a fintech lender that accepts borrowers with credit scores as low as 300. It's one of the few lenders that considers your employment history and education when determining loan approval — making it ideal for students just out of college. Upstart offers loans between $1,000 and $75,000, and its rates start at a low 6.7% APR. But you could pay an origination fee of up to 12% on your loan if you have a lower credit score.
In addition to working with good-to-excellent credit borrowers, Best Egg also accepts fair credit scores and gets high marks from customers for its customer service and fast funding. Its APRs range from 6.99% to 35.99%, and it charges an origination fee of 0.99% to 9.99%, depending on your creditworthiness. The company has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2014 and gets an exceptionally high BBB rating from customers — a rarity on the BBB site.
Min. credit score
640
APR
6.99% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$2,000 to $50,000
Not available in: Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia
In addition to working with good-to-excellent credit borrowers, Best Egg also accepts fair credit scores and gets high marks from customers for its customer service and fast funding. Its APRs range from 6.99% to 35.99%, and it charges an origination fee of 0.99% to 9.99%, depending on your creditworthiness. The company has been accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 2014 and gets an exceptionally high BBB rating from customers — a rarity on the BBB site.
Pros
Rates start at 6.99%
Funding as soon as the next day
Mostly positive customer reviews
Cons
Origination fees up to 9.99%
Requires a 640 minimum credit score
Not available in all states
Loan amount
$2,000 to $50,000
APR
6.99% to 35.99%
Interest Rate Type
Fixed
Min. credit score
640
Turnaround Time
As soon as the next business day
Loan Term
3 to 5 years
*Trustpilot TrustScore as of April 2025. Best Egg loans are personal loans made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, Column N.A., Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, or Blue Ridge Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. The term, amount, and APR of any loan we offer to you will depend on your credit score, income, debt payment obligations, loan amount, credit history and other factors. Your loan agreement will contain specific terms and conditions. About half of our customers get their money the next day. After successful verification, your money can be deposited in your bank account within 1-3 business days. The timing of available funds upon loan approval may vary depending upon your bank’s policies. Loan amounts range from $2,000– $50,000. Residents of Massachusetts have a minimum loan amount of $6,500 ; Ohio, $5,001; and Georgia, $3,001. For a second Best Egg loan, your total existing Best Egg loan balances cannot exceed $100,000. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) range from 6.99%–35.99%. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 0.99%– 9.99% of your loan amount, which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive. The origination fee on a loan term 4-years or longer will be at least 4.99%. Your loan term will impact your APR, which may be higher than our lowest advertised rate. You need a minimum 700 FICO® score and a minimum individual annual income of $100,000 to qualify for our lowest APR. For example: a 5‐year $10,000 loan with 9.99% APR has 60 scheduled monthly payments of $201.81, and a 3‐year $5,000 loan with 7.99% APR has 36 scheduled monthly payments of $155.12. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you: When you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may also ask to see your driver’s license or other identifying documents. Best Egg products are not available if you live in Iowa, Vermont, West Virginia, the District of Columbia, or U.S. Territories. TO REPORT A PROBLEM OR COMPLAINT WITH THIS LENDER, YOU MAY WRITE OR CALL– Operations Manager, Email: crt-resolutions@bestegg.com, Address: P.O. Box 42912, Philadelphia, PA 19101, Phone: 1-855-282-6353. This lender is licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department, Financial Institutions Division, P.O. Box 25101, 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504. To report any unresolved problems or complaints, contact the division by telephone at (505) 476-4885 or visit the website https://www.rld.nm.gov/financial-institutions/
As Rocket Loans' name suggests, it's fast — even for an online lender. You can get funded the same day you apply as long as the loan is finalized by 4:00 p.m. ET. And it has a low maximum interest rate of 29.99%. But while it has lower rates than some competitors, you'll need a credit score of at least 640 to qualify. On top of that, it charges origination fees, has a lower maximum loan amount than some competitors and only offers two loan terms.
Min. credit score
640
APR
8.01% to 29.99%
Loan amount
$2,000 to $45,000
Not available in: Iowa, Nevada
As Rocket Loans' name suggests, it's fast — even for an online lender. You can get funded the same day you apply as long as the loan is finalized by 4:00 p.m. ET. And it has a low maximum interest rate of 29.99%. But while it has lower rates than some competitors, you'll need a credit score of at least 640 to qualify. On top of that, it charges origination fees, has a lower maximum loan amount than some competitors and only offers two loan terms.
Happy Money works with lending partners that specialize in debt consolidation, offering loans between $5,000 and $50,000 with rates starting at 7.95% APR. Unlike some lenders, you can have funds deposited directly into your bank account or let Happy Money pay your creditors directly. But it's not the fastest option — it could take up to six days to receive your funds. You may also be on the hook for an origination fee up to 5.5%, and its minimum loan amount is on the high side at $5,000.
Min. credit score
640
APR
7.95% to 29.99%
Loan amount
$5,000 to $50,000
Not available in: Iowa, Massachusetts, Nevada
Happy Money works with lending partners that specialize in debt consolidation, offering loans between $5,000 and $50,000 with rates starting at 7.95% APR. Unlike some lenders, you can have funds deposited directly into your bank account or let Happy Money pay your creditors directly. But it's not the fastest option — it could take up to six days to receive your funds. You may also be on the hook for an origination fee up to 5.5%, and its minimum loan amount is on the high side at $5,000.
LendingPoint might not be your first choice if you have good to excellent credit, but if you're looking to improve your score with a small loan, it's a solid option. Loan amounts are smaller than some options — with a potentially high interest rate and origination fee — but LendingPoint reports your payments to all three of the major credit bureaus. You can also sign up for bimonthly payments to help lower the interest you pay and add more flexibility to your budget. However, you'll need at least $35,000 in annual income to qualify.
Min. credit score
Not stated
APR
7.99% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$2,000 to $36,500
Not available in: Nevada, West Virginia
LendingPoint might not be your first choice if you have good to excellent credit, but if you're looking to improve your score with a small loan, it's a solid option. Loan amounts are smaller than some options — with a potentially high interest rate and origination fee — but LendingPoint reports your payments to all three of the major credit bureaus. You can also sign up for bimonthly payments to help lower the interest you pay and add more flexibility to your budget. However, you'll need at least $35,000 in annual income to qualify.
Unlike some lenders, Upgrade has a hardship program that allows you to change your payment date or make partial payments for a time if cash is tight. You'll also have a grace period of 10 days before having to pay a late fee. And it considers borrowers with a credit score of 580, which is more lenient than most lenders. Plus, it offers secured loans and accepts joint applicants. But its maximum rate is a high 35.99%, so fair credit borrowers could face hefty interest charges. It also charges origination fees up to 9.99%.
Min. credit score
580
APR
7.74% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$1,000 to $50,000
Not available in: Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Vermont, West Virginia
Unlike some lenders, Upgrade has a hardship program that allows you to change your payment date or make partial payments for a time if cash is tight. You'll also have a grace period of 10 days before having to pay a late fee. And it considers borrowers with a credit score of 580, which is more lenient than most lenders. Plus, it offers secured loans and accepts joint applicants. But its maximum rate is a high 35.99%, so fair credit borrowers could face hefty interest charges. It also charges origination fees up to 9.99%.
Pros
Solid hardship programs
Offers secured loans and joint applications
Rates start at 7.74%
Cons
Origination fees up to 9.99%
Rates as high as 35.99%
Not available in all states
Loan amount
$1,000 to $50,000
APR
7.74% to 35.99%
Interest Rate Type
Fixed
Min. credit score
580
Turnaround Time
1 to 4 business days
Loan Term
2 to 7 years
Personal loans made through Upgrade feature Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of 7.99%-35.99%. All personal loans have a 1.85% to 9.99% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. Loans feature repayment terms of 24 to 84 months. For example, if you receive a $10,000 loan with a 36-month term and a 17.59% APR (which includes a 13.94% yearly interest rate and a 5% one-time origination fee), you would receive $9,500 in your account and would have a required monthly payment of $341.48. Over the life of the loan, your payments would total $12,293.46. The APR on your loan may be higher or lower and your loan offers may not have multiple term lengths available. Actual rate depends on credit score, credit usage history, loan term, and other factors. Late payments or subsequent charges and fees may increase the cost of your fixed rate loan. There is no fee or penalty for repaying a loan early. Personal loans issued by Upgrade's bank partners. Information on Upgrade's bank partners can be found at https://www.upgrade.com/bank-partners/.
MoneyLion offers a free service designed to connect you with leading lenders, whether you're planning home improvements, consolidating debt or handling an unexpected cost. Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $100,000, with eligibility based on factors such as your credit score and income. MoneyLion claims it also works with borrowers with less-than-stellar credit, so even if your credit score isn't the best, you may still find options. But it has some mixed customer reviews, and connection services can lead to a large amount of sales calls.
Min. credit score
Varies by lender
APR
Varies by lender
Loan amount
$1,000 to $100,000
Not available in: Colorado, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, West Virginia
MoneyLion offers a free service designed to connect you with leading lenders, whether you're planning home improvements, consolidating debt or handling an unexpected cost. Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $100,000, with eligibility based on factors such as your credit score and income. MoneyLion claims it also works with borrowers with less-than-stellar credit, so even if your credit score isn't the best, you may still find options. But it has some mixed customer reviews, and connection services can lead to a large amount of sales calls.
Pros
Compare lenders without affecting your credit score
It can be more difficult to find a loan with only fair credit, but if you're self-employed as well, that can add another stumbling block. Avant considers both fair credit and self-employed borrowers, with a low credit score requirement of only 550. It also offers relatively competitive rates starting at 9.95%. But it charges origination fees, its largest loan amount is lower than some competitors and you'll need at least two years of tax returns if you're self-employed.
Min. credit score
550
APR
9.95% to 35.99%
Loan amount
$2,000 to $35,000
Not available in: Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Virginia, West Virginia
It can be more difficult to find a loan with only fair credit, but if you're self-employed as well, that can add another stumbling block. Avant considers both fair credit and self-employed borrowers, with a low credit score requirement of only 550. It also offers relatively competitive rates starting at 9.95%. But it charges origination fees, its largest loan amount is lower than some competitors and you'll need at least two years of tax returns if you're self-employed.
Pros
Accepts self-employed borrowers
Low credit score requirement
Rates start at 9.95%
Cons
Charges origination fees
Requires 2 years of tax returns
Low maximum loan amount
Loan amount
$2,000 to $35,000
APR
9.95% to 35.99%
Interest Rate Type
Fixed
Min. credit score
550
Turnaround Time
As soon as the next business day
Loan Term
24 to 60 months
Personal loans from $2,000–$35,000. If approved, the actual loan amount, term, and APR that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination and other factors. Avant branded credit products are issued by WebBank, member FDIC.
First Tech Federal Credit Union could be a good option if you're looking for a smaller loan because its loans start as low as $500. And, because it's a credit union, you may be able to qualify with fair credit. Plus, there are no origination fees, and its rates start at 7.89%. But you do need to become a member to qualify for a loan.
Min. credit score
APR
7.89% to 18%
Loan amount
$500 to $50,000
Not available in: Hawaii
First Tech Federal Credit Union could be a good option if you're looking for a smaller loan because its loans start as low as $500. And, because it's a credit union, you may be able to qualify with fair credit. Plus, there are no origination fees, and its rates start at 7.89%. But you do need to become a member to qualify for a loan.
Pros
Small minimum loan amount of $500
No origination fee
Loan terms up to 84 months
Cons
Must become a member to qualify
Rates up to 18%
Loan amount
$500 to $50,000
APR
7.89% to 18%
Interest Rate Type
Fixed
Min. credit score
Loan Term
2 to 7 years
Min. credit score
APR
7.89% to 18%
Loan amount
$500 to $50,000
Methodology: How we picked the best fair credit loans
Finder’s lending experts review more than 120 lenders against 16 key metrics to narrow down the best personal loans:
Minimum APR
Maximum APR
Origination fees
Minimum loan amount
Maximum loan amount
Minimum loan term
Maximum loan term
Number of states served
Minimum credit score
Joint application availability
Turnaround time
Online application availability
Prequalification process
BBB ratings
Trustpilot ratings
Other features, such as rate discounts
We weigh the lender’s minimum and maximum APR to focus on the best low-interest personal loans. And we regularly review our top selections as lenders enter and leave the market.
How much does a personal loan cost for people with fair credit?
While personal loan rates range from about 6% to 36%, borrowers with fair credit shouldn’t expect to qualify for the lowest rates. In fact, data compiled by LendingTree shows that average rates for fair credit borrowers ranged from 30.5% to 32.17% in the second quarter of 2025.
You’ll also likely have to pay an origination fee, which could be as much as 10% of the loan amount. Lenders typically deduct this fee from your loan proceeds or add it to the balance you owe.
How to get a better rate on a fair credit loan
Since lender rates, fees and requirements can vary quite a bit, it’s important to do some comparison shopping. To find the lowest APR for your credit score, prequalify with multiple lenders to compare rates and fees. In particular, look for a lender that has a relatively low maximum APR and considers other factors besides your credit score.
You can also add a cosigner, if the lender allows it, which can increase your chances of approval and secure a lower rate, too.
Compare your monthly loan payment
Use our loan repayment calculator to find out how much a loan will cost each month and overall:
Monthly repayments calculator
Calculate how much you could expect to pay each month
While you won’t get the best rates and fees on a personal loan if you have fair credit, it might still be a good idea if it helps you with the following:
Consolidate high-interest debt. If you can qualify for a lower interest rate than you’re currently paying on credit card debt, consolidating your debt can help you save on interest and simplify your payments.
Get rid of payday or installment loans. With payday or installment loans charging APRs in excess of 400%, using a personal loan to pay off these types of loans can help you get out of a cycle of debt faster.
Pay for necessary living expenses. In some cases, taking out can help cover an emergency or living expenses and prevent larger financial problems.
When to avoid personal loans
However, there are some situations when getting a personal loan with fair credit probably isn’t the best idea:
When rates are too high. If the APR you qualify for is worse than credit card rates, it may not make sense to take on more debt unless you’re using it to pay for necessities or an emergency.
You’re in an unstable financial situation. If your finances are looking unstable for any reason, taking out a new loan can cause additional stress and hurt your credit score if you miss a payment.
Your credit score has taken a hit. If you have fair credit due to recent negative items on your credit report, your interest rate will likely be higher and your loan will cost more in the long run. Sometimes it’s better to wait to get a loan until your credit score has improved.
Our Consumer Confidence Index reported that people found personal loan debt to be more stressful than credit card debt, so think before taking out a personal loan if any of the above factors are true for you.
Where to get a fair credit personal loan
Many traditional lenders, like banks, consider borrowers with a credit score below 670 to be “subprime” borrowers, but some lenders recognize that there is a fair credit bracket between the two, including:
Online lenders. Online fintech lenders use algorithms to determine a borrower’s ability to repay a loan. These algorithms consider multiple factors in addition to your credit score when deciding to extend a loan. Plus, many online lenders can offer loans with low doc requirements and same-day funding.
Federal credit unions. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has the ability to cap rates, which means that rates on loans at credit unions may be lower than those of other lenders. See our credit union personal loans guide for more information.
Community development financial institutions (CDFIs). These are lenders that specialize in serving a specific community. They often have lower interest rates for fair credit borrowers — or may not even consider your credit at all. For a list of CDFIs in your state, look here.
Community banks. Local banks tend to be more flexible with their credit requirements than big banks, since they often have a stated commitment to serve their local communities.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders. Catering to lower-credit borrowers, P2P lenders offer more options to people who may have a harder time finding a loan elsewhere.
A personal loan may not always be the best option, especially if you don’t qualify for a competitive rate. These alternatives may work better for you:
Cash advance apps. Cash advance apps offer no-interest paycheck advances, typically between $20 and $500, often for a small monthly fee. But to qualify for advance, you’ll usually need to establish a history of regular direct deposits for two or three months.
Home equity financing. Homeowners may want to consider a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). They generally have lower rates than personal loans, but carry higher risk since you’re using your home as collateral.
Personal lines of credit. These work like a credit card but give you funds in cash for expenses you can’t pay for with credit. Credit lines may offer lower interest rates than credit cards, but they’re not offered by all lenders.
Compare more personal loans for fair credit
Narrow down top lenders by APR, loan amount and more to find the right loan for your credit score. Select Compare on up to four lenders to see their details side by side. Select Learn more to visit a partner’s site or select More info to read our editorial review.
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked these
What is the Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches 6+ types of personal loans across 50+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
Your options are limited when you have fair credit, but it’s still possible to find a good deal. Online lenders, credit unions and local banks might be your best bet. But you might want to consider applying with a cosigner if you have a credit score below 640 — that’s the cutoff for most fair-credit lenders.
To find the best borrowing options you can, take a look at our guide to the best personal loans.
Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing
in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20
years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and
online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her
start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics
such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in
personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her
bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a
postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also
in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and
likes to read and play golf.
See full bio
Compare lenders that offer $5,000 loans for good, fair and bad credit.
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Finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which Finder receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. Finder compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
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