By Dan Miller

According to the FICO credit scoring model, a 614 credit score is considered “fair.” If you have this score, lenders may see you as a subprime borrower, though you should still be able to get approved for certain types of loans and credit cards.

Find out what a 614 credit score means for borrowers and the types of lending products they can access.

What Does a 614 Credit Score Mean?

A credit score is a three-digit number that’s calculated using information in your credit reports, such as your history of on-time payments, length of credit history, and how much available credit you’re using. Lenders use this number to determine how likely a borrower is to default on a loan. The higher your score, the more likely a lender is to approve you for personal loans or lines of credit.

There are several types of credit scores, but the one most widely used is the FICO Score. FICO scores range from 300 to 850 and are organized into the following tiers:

•   Poor: 300-579

•   Fair: 580-669

•   Good: 670-739

•   Very good: 740-799

•   Excellent: 800-850

As you can see, 614 falls within the “fair” category, which is one notch below “good.” It’s also well below the average American’s credit score of 717.

What Else Can You Get with a 614 Credit Score?

Here’s a look at how a 614 FICO score can affect your chances of getting different types of credit:

Can I Get a Credit Card with a 614 Credit Score?

While you probably won’t qualify for the best credit card offers with a 614 credit score, you may be approved for a traditional credit card or store credit card.

If you don’t qualify for a card — or can’t get one with the perks you want — then you may want to explore applying for a secured credit card. It works in the same way as an unsecured credit card except you could be required to put down a deposit equal to your credit limit.

Can I Get an Auto Loan with a 614 Credit Score?

Yes, it is possible to get an auto loan with a fair credit score, but you may be charged a higher interest rate or have to put down a higher down payment than prospective borrowers with better credit scores. Note that a 614 credit score car loan may not be offered by all lenders. Also, interest rates can vary by lender, so shop around for the best car loan terms.

Recommended: Smarter Ways to Get a Car Loan

Can I Get a Mortgage With a 614 Credit Score?

While you may not qualify for certain loans or programs, it is possible to get a mortgage with a 614 FICO score. An FHA loan, for example, has a minimum credit score of 500 with a 10% down payment.

If you’re able to build your credit score a bit and strengthen your finances, a conventional mortgage may be within reach. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac require a minimum credit score of 620 for a fixed-rate mortgage. You’ll also need a down payment of at least 3% and have a low debt-to-income ratio.

Your lender may also have further restrictions or qualifications, possibly including additional fees, a higher down payment requirement, and/or higher interest rates.

Can I Get a Personal Loan with a 614 Credit Score?

It is possible to get a personal loan or credit card consolidation loan with a credit score of 614, but as with other forms of lending, you’re likely to be charged a higher-than-average interest rate. You may also face less-attractive loan terms, including a shorter loan term or additional fees.

Use a personal loan calculator to see how different interest rates, loan amounts, and term lengths affect your possible monthly payment.

The Takeaway

Is 614 a good credit score? According to a widely used credit scoring model, it’s considered “fair,” or one notch below “good.” While the score could unlock certain lending products including credit cards, mortgages, and other types of loans, you may be charged a higher interest rate and have less-desirable terms than borrowers with better credit scores. If you can work on improving your credit score before applying to borrow money, you may find yourself in a better overall financial situation.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

By Dan Miller

An 808 credit score is a good credit score and more: It’s considered an exceptional or excellent score, which is the highest possible category. Typically, credit scores range from 300 to 850, so an 808 credit score is almost as high as it can get. An 808 credit score signifies that you have a long history of using credit responsibly, with little to no missed bill payments or bankruptcies.

What Does an 808 Credit Score Mean?

The most widely used credit scores are FICO® Scores, which were created by the Fair Isaac Corporation. Generally, credit scores range from 300 to 850, with higher numbers representing people with better credit.

FICO scores are organized into the following tiers:

•   Poor: 300–579

•   Fair: 580–669

•   Good: 670–739

•   Very Good: 740–799

•   Excellent (or Exceptional): 800–850

An 808 credit score is considered excellent, which means that you’re likely to be approved for a mortgage, personal loan, or most other forms of credit at favorable rates.

Recommended: How to Apply for a Personal Loan

What Else Can You Get With an 808 Credit Score?

A credit score of 808 is considered excellent, which should put you in a very good position for all different types of credit. About 21% of Americans have a score over 800; the average credit score in America is 717.

Having a score of 808 indicates that you’ve handled credit responsibly in the past. Lenders therefore will likely view you as a good candidate for loans and lines of credit.

Here is a quick look at what you might be able to get with an 808 credit score:

Can I Get a Credit Card With an 808 Credit Score?

It is very likely that you will be able to be approved for a credit card with a credit score of 808. An 808 credit score is considered to be in the “excellent” range, so you are likely to be able to access top-notch offers. This may mean cards with a very favorable interest rate and a robust array of credit card perks, such as cash back and travel benefits.

In fact, depending on your spending habits and your preferences, you might be offered one of the ultra-premium black credit cards on the market.

(If you already have one or more credit cards, you’re also in good shape to be approved for a credit card consolidation loan. This could allow you to bundle debt into one installment loan, for easier bill paying and potentially a lower interest rate.)

Can I Get an Auto Loan With an 808 Credit Score?

Yes, you are likely to be approved for an auto loan with an 808 FICO score. As noted, an 808 score is in the excellent range of credit scores. Lenders will probably see you as highly creditworthy, which means that you are in a good position to be approved for an auto loan or any other type of credit. What’s more, you will probably be offered the most favorable rates and terms.

An example:

•   As of the third quarter of 2024, a person with a credit score between 601 and 660 would be charged, on average, an annual percentage rate (APR) of 9.73%.

•   However, a person with a score of 781-850 would be assessed, on average, a 5.08% APR, meaning a significantly lower amount of interest would be due over the life of the loan.

Keep in mind, though, that just like with credit cards and other forms of credit, lenders will also usually be looking at your income and other financial information before approving you for a loan. So even if you have an excellent score like an 808 FICO credit score, you may not be approved if you have insufficient income or fall short in other criteria.

Can I Get a Mortgage With an 808 Credit Score?

A FICO score of 808 usually puts you in a good position to be approved for a mortgage. If you are approved for a mortgage with a credit score that high, you’re also likely to qualify for a good mortgage rate. Many mortgage lenders have different rates for customers with different credit scores, so having an excellent credit score will help you get the best mortgage rates available.

A home mortgage is one of the most complicated types of loans, and the exact rates and terms that you get depend on many disparate factors. While having an excellent credit score like an 808 puts you in a good position, you’ll also need to make sure to have other positive indicators.

These may include an income that supports your monthly payment, a sufficient down payment, and a home whose value is high enough to qualify for the loan amount.

A high credit score can be an asset when seeking a mortgage in another way. If you are applying for a jumbo mortgage vs. a conforming loan, that means you are seeking to access a higher amount of funding. Currently, that means a loan of $806,500 or higher for most areas of the U.S. These loans usually get approved for people with scores over 700, with 740 being the average to qualify.

Can I Get a Personal Loan With an 808 Credit Score?

Like other types of loans, an 808 credit score puts you in a good position to be approved for a personal loan. Additionally, many lenders give lower rates to people with higher credit scores.

Given the flexibility of personal loans (you can use them for almost any purpose you can think of, from funding a vacation to paying off a large medical bill), this can be a good option for accessing cash for many people.

You can use our personal loan calculator to determine how likely you are to be approved for a loan and what terms you might expect.

Recommended: Typical Personal Loan Requirements Needed for Approval

The Takeaway

An 808 credit score is considered in the excellent range, which puts it above a good score. A score of 808 is in the highest possible range and reflects that a person manages credit well. Having a credit score of 808 will help put you in a good position to be approved for mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, and other types of credit, typically with the most favorable rates and terms.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

By Jamie Cattanach

An 807 credit score is better than good. If you have a credit score of 807, congratulations are in order: Your credit score is in the highest tier possible, which is known as excellent or exceptional.

Having a high credit score can unlock many doors in the world of loans and lines of credit. You are likely to receive the most favorable interest rates, terms, and perks.

What Does an 807 Credit Score Mean?

An 807 credit score is in the highest possible range on most credit-scoring systems, like the FICO® Score scale. Before delving into more detail on that, consider what credit scores are.

Credit scores are three-digit numbers that are used by lenders to quickly assess your riskiness as a potential borrower. They’re based on the following factors:

•   Payment history, which accounts for 35% of your score, tracks how often you’ve paid your existing debts on time.

•   Amounts owed, which accounts for 30% or your score, tracks how much of your available credit you’re using. (This is also known as a utilization ratio.)

•   Length of credit history, which accounts for 15% of your score, refers to the overall age of your credit accounts, with a longer lifespan counting toward a higher score.

•   Credit mix, which accounts for 10% of your score, refers to the number of different types of credit (such as installment loans, credit cards, and mortgages) you have on your credit profile. A more diverse mix counts toward a higher score.

•   New credit, which also accounts for 10% of your score, refers to how many new credit accounts you’ve opened in a short amount of time. Having too many hard inquiries or new credit accounts on your report can decrease your score.

From these factors, credit scores are ranked from 300 (the lowest/poorest) to 850 (the highest/best). Scores are typically further broken down into the following credit rating scale:

•   Poor credit: 300–579

•   Fair credit: 580–669

•   Good credit: 670–739

•   Very good credit: 740–799

•   Excellent credit: 800–850

As you can see, a score of 807 puts you in the excellent category (sometimes called exceptional), which is the highest. With excellent credit, you can enjoy a high likelihood of success when applying for various types of loan products, along with the lowest interest rates available.

A little more information about how your three digits compare: About 21% of Americans have a credit score over 800, and the average credit score in U.S. is currently 717.

What Else Can You Get with an 807 Credit Score?

With an 807 credit score, you will probably have a high likelihood of being approved for installment loans and lines of credit. You may also snag the most favorable rates and terms. Credit cards may be available with a rich array of benefits.

But, before going into more detail about that, it’s worth noting that lenders may look at other factors as well. For instance, such attributes as your income, job history, and your debt-to-income ratio (how much you owe vs. your earning power) may matter, too.

Can I Get a Credit Card with an 807 Credit Score?

Short answer: Yes. If you have a credit score of 807, you’re probably a great candidate for many credit cards. Usually, a credit score of at least 670 is needed to qualify for an unsecured credit card. Since an 807 score is so much higher, you might be a good candidate for cards with low interest rates and top-notch perks, such as extensive travel benefits, cash back, and more.

Of course, just because you can get a credit card doesn’t necessarily mean you should — at least without proper research and an understanding of how to use credit cards responsibly. Swiping is all too easy, and many people wind up buying more on credit than they can afford to repay in cash, leading to a revolving balance that can come with high interest rates and the potential to ding your credit score.

For best results, pay off your entire credit card bill each and every month on or before the due date. That way, you’ll enjoy the benefits of the card without ever paying interest. (If your credit card balances do get higher than you’d like, you might consider a credit card consolidation loan, which combines multiple balances into a single installment loan, typically at a significantly lower interest rate.)

Can I Get an Auto Loan with an 807 Credit Score?

With a credit score of 807, you’re in fine shape to qualify for an auto loan. You can actually often get a car loan with a much lower credit score, but your interest rate will probably be much higher. For instance, with a credit score of 720 to 850, you might pay an interest rate of 7.062% according to Experian® as of late 2024. If your score is 590-619, that figure jumps to 16.32%. That will make a considerable difference in your monthly payments and the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan.

Also, while you’ll probably qualify for a car loan, remember that getting an auto loan has you paying interest on a depreciating asset. You’ll likely end up paying far more over the lifetime of the loan than the car’s initial value, let alone its value five or ten years down the line.

Saving up a substantial down payment for the vehicle can reduce the amount of the loan, which can help decrease the total amount you’ll pay in interest over the loan’s lifetime.

You might also consider buying a high-quality used car in cash, if you have enough money in savings to do so without dipping into your emergency fund.

Recommended: How to Apply for a Personal Loan

Can I Get a Mortgage with an 807 Credit Score?

Ready to become a homeowner? People getting ready to take out a mortgage often talk about “getting their ducks in a row,” and if you have a credit score of 807, congratulations: That’s one duck taken care of. In other words, an 807 FICO score is likely to qualify you for a mortgage. Typically, for a conforming loan, you need a score of 620 or higher.

With a score of 807, you are well-positioned to qualify for favorable interest rates for a conventional mortgage as well as for a jumbo loan, which means the principal is for a higher amount. Lenders usually look for a credit score of 720 or higher for a jumbo loan.

Still, there are other considerations that your mortgage lender will look into when qualifying you for a loan. For example, your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI, is a measure of how much you owe each month in existing debt payments versus your gross income. Generally, mortgage lenders will want to see a DTI of 36% or less (some, however, will accept up to 43% or even higher).

The underwriting process will also include a review of your employment history and existing assets, so when it comes to buying a house, it’s not just about building a strong credit score.

Can I Get a Personal Loan With an 807 Credit Score?

Personal loans are one of the most flexible financial products on the market. If you successfully apply, you can use the funds for just about anything you want. What’s more, they typically have a significantly lower interest rate than, say, charging something with your credit card.

Among the uses of personal loans can be:

•   Funding a wedding

•   Paying for family planning costs

•   Financing a vacation

•   Taking care of a major medical bill

•   Paying for a home renovation

Because they’re not secured by collateral (like a house for a mortgage or a car for an auto loan), personal loans tend to have more stringent qualification requirements. However, with a credit score of 807, you should be in good shape to qualify, provided you also have a steady, reliable income and a low enough level of existing debt. Usually lenders like to see a credit score of at least 580 to qualify for a personal loan. With your score, you may unlock the most favorable interest rates and terms.

A personal loan calculator can help you understand how much you’ll pay in interest over the entire lifetime of the loan. Be sure to look for one that allows you to make early repayments or additional principal payments without penalty.

The Takeaway

A credit score of 807 is not just good, it’s excellent. It falls into the highest possible range of credit score. Such a lofty score should help you qualify for credit, such as lines of credit and installment loans, with favorable interest rates and terms.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

By Dan Miller

A 570 credit score is considered “poor” and is significantly lower than the average credit score of 717. Borrowers with a 570 credit score may find it difficult to qualify for credit cards, mortgages, and other types of lending products. And if they are approved, it may only be for financial products with high interest rates and fees.

Learn what a 570 credit score means, what loan products you may qualify for, and ways to improve your score.

What Does a 570 Credit Score Mean?

As we mentioned, 570 is a poor credit score. A borrower with this score may have had issues managing their debt, or they could simply lack a credit history.

Here’s how FICO® Score — which is used in the vast majority of lending decisions — ranks credit scores. The higher the number, the better the credit score.

•   300-579: Poor

•   580-669: Fair

•   670-739: Good

•   740-799: Very good

•   800 or more: Excellent

It’s important to keep an eye on your credit score. Not only does it indicate how likely you are to pay back a loan or credit on time, lenders often use it when making lending decisions, such as for personal loans.

If you have a 570 credit score, lenders may see you as a risky borrower. You might find it challenging to qualify for lower interest rates and larger loan amounts. You might also have a difficult time getting approved for credit cards with lower APRs and attractive perks, like cash back.

What Else Can You Get with a 570 Credit Score?

A 570 credit score may negatively impact your ability to qualify for many loan programs or other types of credit. Let’s take a closer look at some different scenarios.

Can I Get a Credit Card with a 570 Credit Score?

While you may qualify for a credit card with a 570 credit score, your options might be limited. What’s more, some credit card issuers could also require you to pay extra fees or put down deposits on your card.

You may want to look into cards designed for applicants with lower credit scores. A secured credit card, for example, requires a security deposit that acts as collateral in case the cardholder defaults on their payments. When managed responsibly, these cards can be an effective way to build credit.

If you have high-interest credit card debt, a credit card consolidation loan could be worth exploring. You can transfer multiple balances to a single loan — ideally one with a better rate — which could reduce monthly payments and streamline bill paying.

Can I Get an Auto Loan with a 570 Credit Score?

Typically, you need a credit score of 600 to qualify for an auto loan, but some lenders may be willing to work with buyers who have a lower credit score. If you are approved for a loan with a 570 credit score, you could be charged a higher interest rate or have to put down a higher down payment than borrowers with better credit scores.

Can I Get a Mortgage with a 570 Credit Score?

Getting a mortgage with a 570 credit score isn’t impossible, but be prepared to have fewer options. You may also have to pay a higher interest rate and put down a larger deposit. For example, borrowers with a credit score as low as 500 might qualify for an FHA loan, but they’ll likely need to have a down payment of at least 10%.

Can I Get a Personal Loan with a 570 Credit Score?

It’s possible that you will be able to qualify for some personal loan options with a 570 credit score. However, as with other types of financial products, you may have fewer options to choose from than a borrower with a better credit score.

One of the main metrics lenders examine when reviewing a personal loan application is the applicant’s credit score. Typically, the lower your credit score, the more challenging it is to get approved for a loan. And if you are approved, you could pay higher interest rates.

A personal loan calculator can help you explore options for your specific financial situation and look for potential ways to save on interest.

How to Build Your Credit Score

If your credit score isn’t where you want it to be, there are steps you can take to improve it before you apply for a loan or credit card. Here are some credit-building strategies to consider:

•   Pay your bills on time.

•   Keep your credit utilization low.

•   Keep older accounts open.

•   Apply for new credit only when needed.

•   Regularly check your credit reports for errors and fix any inaccuracies you see.

The Takeaway

Is 570 a good credit score? According to FICO, it’s in the “poor” range. Many lenders use an applicant’s FICO Score as a major determining factor when deciding whether to approve a loan application. With a 570 credit score, you may be approved for some lending products, but you may be charged a higher interest rate and have less-desirable terms than borrowers with better credit scores. If your score is on the lower end, it may be a good idea to work on improving your credit score before you apply for a credit card or personal loan.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

By Lauren Ward

A credit score of 611 does not qualify as good. That designation usually applies to scores between 670 and 739. A 611 score falls in the next lowest range known as fair, which is a notch above poor.

While you can still qualify for some forms of credit, such as credit cards and installment loans, with a 611 score, you will likely have to pay higher interest rates than people with higher scores. In addition, you may not have as flexible terms nor as rich rewards. Learn the details here.

What Does a 611 Credit Score Mean?

A credit score of 611 puts you in the fair category, which isn’t high enough to be considered good.

Credit scores commonly range from 300 (the lowest score possible) to 850 (the highest score). Here’s how the FICO® Score, a leading credit-scoring model, breaks down its credit categories:

•   Under 580: Poor

•   580-669: Fair

•   670-739: Good

•   740-799: Very good

•   800 or more: Exceptional or excellent

A 611 is on the lower end of the fair category. You would have to build your score to 670 to qualify as having good credit.

It’s also worth noting that the average American’s credit score is a 717 — over 100 points higher. This can be encouraging to know that many people have built their scores this high.

So what does this mean for people wondering if 611 is a bad credit score? The answer is that, while it’s better than a poor score, it’s below average, which means you may have a harder time qualifying for certain types of financing. And if you do qualify, you’ll pay a higher interest rate than if you had a higher score.

What Factors Cause a 611 Credit Score?

Credit scoring models look at five types of information on your credit report:

•   Payment history, meaning paying on-time

•   Amounts owed vs. credit limit

•   Length of credit history (being new to credit can negatively impact your score)

•   New credit requests (making numerous new credit inquiries over the past two years can pull your score down)

•   Credit mix, meaning if you have successfully managed different types of credit, such as both an installment loan and a line of credit, it can help build your score.

You can check your credit score for free on a regular basis. When you check your score with a credit service, you may also get personalized feedback on how to improve your number.

What Else Can You Get With a 611 Credit Score?

Different types of financing come with different types of credit score criteria. In general, you may face some challenges accessing credit with a fair score of 611. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of loans, as well as credit cards, to give you a sense of how you can qualify with a 611 credit score and what kind of tradeoffs to expect.

Can I Get a Credit Card With a 611 Credit Score?

A 611 credit score could be enough to help you qualify for a credit card. However, a card you are approved for may have some drawbacks like a higher interest rate and a spending cap that’s below the average credit limit. What’s more, you likely won’t gain access to the perks that those with higher scores may enjoy, such as getting cash back and earning points.

When you apply for a credit card, your application is based on your credit score as well as a few other factors, including your income, debt-to-income ratio, and credit utilization. Using a credit card approval odds calculator can help you gauge what cards you might qualify for. That way, you don’t add extra inquiries to your credit report by applying for cards that are out of reach. Every hard inquiry takes about five points off your credit report for a few months or longer, and having too many can raise a red flag to creditors.

Here’s what you may qualify for:

•   An unsecured credit card, but you will likely have a less favorable interest rate and terms than would be offered to those with higher scores.

•   A secured card, which involves making a down payment that serves as the card’s credit limit. This can mean that you won’t be able to spend freely, but by paying your bill on time every month, you can build your credit score. In some cases, after paying bills by the deadline for a period of time, you may move up to an unsecured card.

•   A retail or store card. These only grant you credit at an individual store or chain of stores, but these cards give you the benefits of a card and, with responsible card use, can help you build credit (providing the issuer reports usage to the credit bureaus).

Keep in mind, however, that credit cards typically carry high interest charges, and with a fair credit score, you are probably going to face higher interest rates than those with better scores. Be sure you can repay what you owe: Paying the full balance monthly can allow you to avoid interest charges.

Another note: If you do access credit cards and then find that you are carrying significant credit card debt, you might consider a credit card consolidation loan. These allow you to transfer one or multiple lines of credit into an installment loan, often at a significantly lower interest rate.

Can I Get an Auto Loan With a 611 Credit Score?

Having a 611 credit score for a car loan shouldn’t stop you from financing your vehicle. This type of financing is secured by the vehicle itself, so there’s less risk to the lender. If a borrower defaults on payments, the lender can repossess the vehicle and sell it to cover the outstanding balance.

Even though you could qualify with a 611 credit score, you’ll have to pay a higher interest rate, which means you’ll pay more for the vehicle over time. An example: According to Experian, in a recent study, a person with a 611 credit score who was seeking a loan for a new car could expect to pay 9.83% interest rate, while a person with a 781 score would pay 5.25% interest.

The good news is that financing a car can help you build credit if you regularly make your payments on time. You also don’t have to worry about rate-shopping for an auto loan counting as multiple credit inquiries, which can lower your credit score. Lenders typically lump all auto loan inquiries from a 45-day period as a single item on your credit report. That’s because you’re probably not applying for several car loans at the same time; it’s more likely that you’re checking several options.

Can I Get a Mortgage With a 611 Credit Score?

Every lender has its own credit score criteria for different types of home loans, but typically, for a conventional loan, you need a credit score of 620 or higher.

While a 611 score doesn’t meet this requirement, there are three programs designed for homebuyers with lower scores.

•   FHA loan: To qualify for an FHA home loan with a 3.5% down payment, you’ll need at least a 580 credit score. So you can likely qualify for this with a 611 score. Borrowers with a 500 to 579 score may also still qualify. They’ll need a 10% down payment on the home.

•   USDA loan: Used for homes in designated rural communities, a USDA loan doesn’t have a firm minimum credit score. According to USDA guidelines, a borrower with a 611 credit score may need to provide additional documents, like housing payment history and references, as compared to those with higher scores.

•   VA loans: It can be harder to qualify for a VA loan with a 611 credit score, but it’s not impossible. This program for veterans, active service members, and surviving spouses, usually has a minimum score of 620. But some lenders may still approve a borrower with a lower score if they provide extra documentation.

No matter what kind of home loan you consider, the minimum credit score to buy a house can vary by lender. It can be wise to ask up front about preapproval and prequalification options as you consider the mortgage process.

Can I Get a Personal Loan With a 611 Credit Score?

A personal loan can provide access to a lump sum of cash to be used for almost any purpose, such as funding a vacation or paying off a medical bill. This popular option typically offers a fixed interest rate, which is often significantly lower than what you’d pay if you charged a purchase to your credit card. The term of the loan is usually between two and seven years, and the principal can be flexible, ranging from, say, $1,000 up to $100,000.

You may qualify for a personal loan with a 611 credit score, but you’ll probably pay higher interest rates than someone who has a higher score. On top of that, you may not be eligible for a large loan amount with that score and other factors, such as if you have a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Your DTI represents how your monthly debt payments compare to how much you earn a month. If you already have lots of credit card debt with a high monthly minimum, or other payments like auto loans, student loans, and even your mortgage, you may have a high DTI.

The overall cost of borrowing is key when you’re considering a personal loan. Credit cards are convenient and useful for smaller, everyday amounts or purchases that might earn points. But even unsecured personal loans tend to have lower interest rates than credit cards, which can make them a good choice for larger expenses. And knowing you’ll have a fixed payment to make every month can help you stay disciplined and on track.

A personal loan calculator can help you compare different terms from various lenders, including interest rate, length of repayment term, loan amount, and the total cost of financing. That way you can work to keep your payments and interest as low as possible while also looking for the right loan amount for your financial needs.

The Takeaway

A credit score of 611 isn’t good. Rather, it’s considered fair, which is the category below good. With that score, you may find that access to credit is somewhat limited. The loans and lines of credit that are available likely have higher interest rates and less favorable terms than those offered to people with higher scores. If that doesn’t suit you, an option is to delay accessing credit until you have built your score and only then apply for credit cards, personal loans, and the like.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.