Is 679 a Good Credit Score?

By Lauren Ward

A credit score of 679 is good, according to FICO®, the scoring model used by 90% of lenders in the U.S. Borrowers with this score have room for improvement in order to access the best financing rates and terms, but it’s still a good starting point that should help you qualify for most types of loan and credit opportunities.

What Does a 679 Credit Score Mean?

If you want to know whether 679 is a bad credit score, the answer is no. FICO organizes credit scores into five different categories, and 679 falls into the “good” range.

•   Poor: 300-579

•   Fair: 580-669

•   Good: 670-739

•   Very Good: 740-799

•   Excellent: 800-850

As you can see, a 679 is on the bottom cusp of the good category; however, a 10-point drop would put you into the fair range. So it’s important to manage your credit well in order to maintain and even improve your score. Some effective ways to build your credit score include:

•   Pay your bills on time each month.

•   Keep your credit card balances below 30% of the limit.

•   Limit new credit applications to avoid multiple hard inquiries on your report.

Overall, a 679 is a good score, and with a little bit of time and energy, you could bump it into an even higher category.

Recommended: 10 Strategies for Building Credit Over Time

What Else Can You Get with a 679 Credit Score?

It’s certainly possible to qualify for different types of financing with a 679 credit score. But lenders also look at other eligibility factors, like your debt-to-income ratio, employment history, and in some cases, the size of your down payment.

Another consideration of what you can get with a 679 credit score is how much you’ll pay in interest and fees. Make sure you can handle any new debt payments, otherwise you risk falling behind on payments and damaging your credit score.

Can I Get a Credit Card with a 679 Credit Score?

Wondering if a 679 credit score is good or bad for getting a credit card? Based on this score alone, you would likely qualify for a card. But the best terms and rewards programs are generally reserved for applicants with a 700 or higher. You could still qualify for a competitive card, though you may have to pay a higher interest rate and could receive a lower credit limit.

“Putting down a deposit” means you get a secured credit card. The deposit is usually equal to your credit limit, and it acts as collateral when you make a purchase. The lender can take your deposit if you fail to make your payments on time or if you default on your loan.

Additionally, always look at extra costs that come with a card, such as an annual fee or balance transfer fee, which is often charged when you move an existing credit card balance to a new one. All of these expenses can add up, so be sure to compare the total card costs and not just the interest rate. Look at a credit card’s annual percentage rate (APR) to assess the overall cost of using the card.

You may also see multiple types of APRs, including introductory, purchase, cash advance, and penalty APRs. Think about how you realistically use your cards and which fees are most likely to apply.

Can I Get an Auto Loan with a 679 Credit Score?

Getting a car loan with a 679 credit score loan is possible; in fact, the minimum score typically required by lenders is a 600. The average score for borrowers getting a used car loan is 675, and about 730 for a new car loan.

Your score also has a direct impact on your interest rate. Across all credit scores, a loan for a new car averages 6.84% interest, and a used car loan averages 12.01%. With a 679 credit score, however, you’re likely to pay just a little bit more than average for a new car (6.87%) and quite less for a used car (9.36%).

No matter what your credit score is, you may qualify for a lower rate if you make a larger down payment. Not only could you decrease your total interest, you’ll also keep your monthly payments low. That gives you both short-term and long-term savings to enjoy. And lowering your overall debt load could preserve or even boost your credit score.

Can I Get a Mortgage with a 679 Credit Score?

A 679 credit score should qualify you for multiple mortgage options when buying a house. Here are the most common options that fall within this range:

•   Conventional loan: Usually has a 620 minimum credit score.

•   FHA loan: A 580 score is required with a 3.5% down payment, or a 500 with a 10% down payment.

•   VA loan: There’s no official minimum, but most lenders require a 620 or higher.

•   USDA loans: You typically need a 640 in order to qualify without submitting extra paperwork.

Jumbo loans typically require a 700 credit score, so you may need to improve yours if you want to purchase a home that’s more expensive than the conforming loan limit (which is $806,500 in most areas for 2025).

One thing to remember when applying for a mortgage is that a lender will look at all of your scores from the three major credit bureaus. Instead of using the highest score, they may use the middle of the three. And if you’re applying with a joint borrower, like a spouse or a friend, the lender might use the middle number of the applicant with the lower score.

Can I Get a Personal Loan with a 679 Credit Score?

Personal loans can be an attractive borrowing option because the funds can be used for nearly any purpose. But how difficult is it to qualify for a loan with a credit score of 679?

Lenders vary when it comes to setting a minimum credit score for personal loans, but a 679 should fall within the approval range. Most minimums are set between 580 and 660, so a 679 gives you some buffer room to qualify. Be watchful of interest rates and other repayment terms, which can vary substantially from lender to lender.

If you want to keep your interest rate as low as possible, you may want to consider using collateral on a personal loan. Real estate, bank accounts, and vehicles can be used to secure a loan. While it puts your asset at risk, it could help you qualify for a lower rate and a higher loan amount.

A credit card consolidation loan is another personal loan option that is specifically designed to pay off card balances. Ideally, you’ll save money with a lower, fixed interest rate rather than a variable rate on a revolving credit line. Plus, you may improve your credit score by eliminating that revolving credit in favor of an installment loan.

Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator

The Takeaway

A 679 is a good credit score, especially if you want to apply for any type of financing like a personal loan. But terms can vary from lender to lender, so look at multiple options and use a loan calculator to compare monthly payment amounts and total interest paid.

Also consider ways to improve your credit score in order to qualify for even better terms in the future. Make your payments on time every month, and start paying down high-interest debt to potentially start seeing that 679 rise over time.

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.

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