Skip to Main Content

Student Loans

Get tips and advice on student loans and colleges and compare private student loan lenders.

Helpful links

An illustration of four rolls of twenty dollar bills with graduation caps on
Make sure to choose the right type of student loan for your needs.
A Black woman studying at a table with an illustrated light green background
Paying for college is a challenge for many students, but student loans can help.
FAFSA spelled out in Scrabble blocks
Here’s how to be prepared when it comes time to fill out your FAFSA form.

Reviews & tools

SoFi logo
4.7
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
Star Empty Icon
Star Icon
Star Empty Icon
Star Icon
Star Empty Icon
Star Icon
Star Empty Icon
Star Icon
Star Empty Icon
Star Icon
Bankrate Score
Read review
Sallie Mae logo
4.3
Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
Star Empty Icon
Star Icon
Star Empty Icon
Star Icon
Star Empty Icon
Star Icon
Star Empty Icon
Star Icon
Star Empty Icon
Star Icon
Bankrate Score
Read review

Experts in all things finance

Our expert reporters and editors bring the news and analysis you need—backed by data and firsthand experience.

About Bankrate
Andrew Pentis headshot

Andrew Pentis Arrow Right Icon

Writer and Consumer Lending Analyst

Denny Ceizyk headshot

Denny Ceizyk Arrow Right Icon

Senior Loans Writer

Lauren Nowacki headshot

Lauren Nowacki Arrow Right Icon

Senior Loans Writer

The latest

College student studies in library
The type of loan you choose depends on your financial need and academic level.
Image showing, in the foreground, the back of a graduate in full cap and gown holding up a rolled diploma in their right hand. In the background, there is a large compass in the upper middle of the image above a blue jagged arrow going from the lower middle of the image to the upper right of the image.
New grads are struggling to stand out among the crowd in a challenging job market.
Stressed man looks at his laptop.
Defaulting on your student loans can cause short- and long-term consequences.
Young woman looks thoughtfully at laptop.
Unlike a late payment, true default comes with consequences that can last for years.
Black graduation cap with green upward trend arrow in the background
Here’s how much of your salary could go toward student loan payments.
Stack of coins rising in an upward trend with a graduation cap on the last and highest pile
Learn how to calculate your student loan limits.
Parent and son sitting on a college dorm bed
The right parent student loan depends on your priorities and financial situation.
Above angle view of woman calculating bills on calculator
The promise of massive student loan forgiveness may have set up students for financial failure.
The trusted provider of accurate rates and financial information
Wall Street Journal
Usa Today
New York Times
Cnn
Bloomberg
Abc