Is 598 a Good Credit Score?

598 credit score

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    By Jamie Cattanach

    A credit score of 598 doesn’t make the cut for good credit. Rather, it falls into the fair credit category, which means you would be considered a “subprime” borrower. It’s likely that you will pay higher interest rates than borrowers with higher credit scores, and you may also miss out on more favorable terms and perks.

    Fortunately, if you have a credit score of 598, you can likely access some types of credit. You’ll also have plenty of room for improvement — and building a higher credit score is totally possible with perseverance and consistency. Here’s what you need to know.

    Key Points

    •   A credit score of 598 is categorized as fair, indicating credit that’s less than good.

    •   Higher interest rates and less favorable loan terms can be common when accessing credit with this score.

    •   Secured credit cards and personal loans remain accessible options.

    •   Qualification for FHA, VA, or USDA mortgages may be possible at the lender’s discretion.

    •   Strategies to build the score include timely payments, reducing debt, and using secured credit cards.

    What Does a 598 Credit Score Mean?

    Credit scores are broken down into six different categories between the low end of 300 and the high end of 850. Here’s how they look according to the FICO® Score ranges:

    •   300-579: Poor credit

    •   580-669: Fair credit

    •   670-739: Good credit

    •   740-799: Very good credit

    •   800 and above: Excellent or exceptional credit

    The specifics of your credit score matter because those three digits reflect how well you have managed credit in the past, which predicts your ability to do so in the future. Lenders use your score to determine your creditworthiness when assessing your application for financial products like mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and credit cards.

    Even if your credit score and other financial factors are good enough for you to qualify, a higher credit score can help you achieve the best possible terms and conditions for your loan, including lower interest rates.

    What Else Can You Get With a 598 Credit Score?

    With a credit score toward the lower end of the fair category, you may face challenges getting approved for some types of loans — or you may only qualify for loans with high interest rates, which can be a weight on your overall finances. You may want to focus on building a higher credit score which can make it easier and less expensive to access installment loans and lines of credit in the future.

    That said, there are some types of financial products you may be able to qualify for with a 598 credit score and beneficial ways to use those financial products to your overall financial advantage.

    Can I Get a Credit Card With a 598 Credit Score?

    You probably realize that life can be less convenient without a credit card. Many types of services, such as hotels and rental car companies, often require a card on file. They may place a security hold on an amount as well — which can lock up valuable funds if you’re using a debit card to make the reservation. Here’s what it takes to get a card:

    •   Typically, credit card issuers look for a 670 credit score or higher among applicants for an unsecured card. But there are many credit cards on the market that are specifically designed for people with fair, poor, or even no credit at all. Major credit card issuers like MasterCard and Visa both offer options like this.

    •   Secured credit cards are one good option if you’re having trouble qualifying for other types of credit cards. With a secured credit card, you’ll put down a cash deposit (which will often be the same amount as your credit limit). For example, if you secured your credit card with a $400 deposit, you’d have a $400 credit limit. If you build your credit score with on-time payments with a secured card, you may be able to move on to an unsecured credit card from the same issuer (or successfully apply for a separate one).

    Can I Get an Auto Loan With a 598 Credit Score?

    While there’s no specific minimum credit score to successfully apply for an auto loan, most lenders look for a credit score higher than 598 (often in the higher 600s). If you do qualify for an auto loan, you may be facing a high interest rate, which means you’ll pay a lot more for your car over time (as the asset itself depreciates).

    For example, as of the end of 2024, the annual percentage rate (APR) for a loan for a new car to an applicant with a credit score of 781 or higher was 5.08% while the rate for those with a score between 501 and 600 was 13.00%. That higher interest rate could make a major difference in your budget.

    Because of this dynamic, it may make more sense to wait until you build your credit score before applying for a car loan. Or if you have substantial savings, you may be able to pay for a good quality used car in cash.

    Can I Get a Mortgage With a 598 Credit Score?

    For a conventional home loan, you usually need a credit score of at least 620 to qualify, along with other factors like a low enough debt-to-income ratio (DTI) and sufficient, reliable income.

    However, there are other types of mortgage loan programs, like FHA loans, which allow you to qualify with a lower credit score: 580 with a 3.5% down payment, or 500 with a down payment of 10%

    Fortunately, even if you don’t meet the other eligibility criteria for an FHA loan, you’re only 22 points away from the credit score you need to qualify for most mortgages.

    In addition, you might qualify for a VA or USDA mortgage, which can have more flexible requirements than conventional home loans.

    Making on-time payments on all your existing debts each month can go a long way toward building your credit score. You might consider using autopay for your bills to make sure you don’t miss the due dates.

    Also, paying down revolving balances can both have a positive impact on your credit history and free up extra money each month that could go toward your housing payment.

    Can I Get a Personal Loan With a 598 Credit Score?

    Personal loans are a type of unsecured loan that offers an up-front lump sum that can be used for just about any purpose you can think of. For instance, you might use a personal loan to:

    •   Pay for family planning costs

    •   Finance a wedding

    •   Pay for a vacation

    •   Take care of a major medical bill

    •   Fund a home renovation project

    One of the best ways to use a personal loan is to consolidate other debts, in which case it may be known as a debt consolidation loan. These allow you to transfer one or more revolving lines of credit into a single installment loan, typically at a significantly lower interest rate.

    However, because personal loans aren’t secured by an asset like a house or a car, they tend to have more stringent qualification requirements than other types of loans. They often require a credit score of 660 or higher.

    Fortunately, many personal loan lenders do consider and approve applicants with a fair credit score. However, you may end up with a very high interest rate — which could counteract the benefits of a personal loan for debt consolidation or another purpose, depending on your situation. Be sure to do the math ahead of time to understand how much you’ll spend over the lifetime of your loan. A personal loan calculator can help.

    The Takeaway

    A 598 credit score isn’t technically good; it falls into the fair category. That can make it challenging to access credit, and the options you have may carry less favorable interest rates and terms. To build a better score, making on-time monthly payments can go a long way toward improving your score, as can paying down existing debt balances before taking out more loans or lines of credit.

    If you do build your score and want to investigate personal loan options, see what SoFi offers.

    Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

    SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2024 winner for Best Personal Loan overall.

    View your rate

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    Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .
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