By Bob Haegele

A 715 credit score qualifies as good. It’s also currently the average credit score in the U.S.

If your credit score is 715, you may have received some attractive offers for credit cards and loans, but perhaps you haven’t qualified for the best products in the industry. Here, learn more about what a 715 credit score means and how it affects each kind of credit.

What Does a 715 Credit Score Mean?

According to FICO®, a 715 credit score qualifies as good. Good credit scores are those in the 670-739 range, and 715 is in the upper half.

While having a good credit score puts you in a comfortable position, it leaves room for improvement. Above the good range is the very good category (740-799) and the exceptional or excellent range (800-850). Here are how FICO Scores stack up:

•   Exceptional (or excellent) credit: 800-850

•   Very good credit: 740-799

•   Good credit: 670-739

•   Fair credit: 580-669

•   Poor credit: 300-579

A good credit score should allow you to qualify for most financial products, including various loans and credit cards. You may not qualify for some products, such as premium credit cards and low-interest personal loans. Still, a 715 credit score will let you qualify for many financial products, and building your score further will open even more options.

What Else Can You Get With a 715 Credit Score?

Reaching a 715 credit score means much more than earning the distinction of a good score. A 715 credit score should allow you to qualify for most financial products, including credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and personal loans.

As mentioned, you may not qualify for the best offers with the most favorable terms, but you should have options for most types of credit. If you want to qualify for the best rates and terms, build your score closer to the exceptional range. This can lead to big cost savings, especially with products like mortgages. Some ways to build your score include:

•   Always making debt payments on time.

•   Keeping your credit utilization under 30%.

•   Using a mix of credit (say, lines of credit as well as installment loans) responsibly.

•   Not applying for too much credit in a short period of time.

•   Maintaining a long credit history (this can mean keeping open a credit card you only use occasionally).

Can I Get a Credit Card With a 715 Credit Score?

If you are in the market for a new card, you should have little trouble qualifying for all but the most premium credit cards. You should be able to pick from various cash-back, travel, and rewards credit cards. Many cards with no annual fee or a sub-$100 annual fee should be within reach. Depending on your income and other factors, a 715 credit score may be enough to qualify for a significant credit limit.

You may also qualify for a favorable APR (annual percentage rate), though perhaps not as low as cardholders with very good or exceptional credit.

Many credit card issuers let you prequalify online, which can be helpful if you are unsure of your approval odds. This lets you check your approval odds for any card you are considering without hurting your credit score. Prequalification doesn’t guarantee final approval, but in many cases, it indicates good odds.

When you do apply for a credit card, it typically causes a minor and temporary drop in your credit score. It’s best to avoid consecutive credit applications even if the drop isn’t permanent. Work to build your credit score as much as possible before submitting your application for the best approval odds.

Recommended: 11 Types of Personal Loans and Their Differences

Can I Get an Auto Loan With a 715 Credit Score?

Qualifying for an auto loan with a 715 credit score shouldn’t be a problem in most cases. However, you generally want the best credit score possible before applying. All else being equal, a higher credit score usually means your auto loan interest rate will be lower. Since you will make monthly payments, reducing your interest rate even slightly can save you hundreds in the long run.

With a prime credit score, your rate might be close the average: 6.70% for a new car, and 9.63% for a used car, according to Experian in the third quarter of 2024.

With a 715 credit score, you may qualify for longer loan terms of 36 to 72 months. However, longer terms typically mean higher interest rates. When interest rates are high, the effect is even greater, as there can be a big difference in rates for the highest- and lowest-risk borrowers.

Can I Get a Mortgage With a 715 Credit Score?

For conventional home loans, the minimum credit score required is usually 620, so a 715 credit score will likely qualify you for financing your dream home. However, mortgage lenders typically consider factors beyond your credit score, such as your income and debt-to-income (DTI).

In the past, conventional loans required a 20% down payment. The minimum can now be as low as 3%. Generally, a higher credit score can reduce your minimum down payment, meaning you may need to put more than 3% down with a 715 credit score.

Depending on all these factors, a 715 credit score may allow you to qualify for good mortgage rates from various lenders. You may also qualify for a jumbo loan, which offers a principal larger than the limits for conforming loans. However, in all cases, your rates probably won’t be as low as they are for borrowers with very good and exceptional credit scores.

The mortgage type is also significant, as different types have different qualification criteria. For instance, FHA and VA loans may let you qualify with a 580 credit score, compared to 620 for conventional loans. That is a considerable difference, making these government-backed loans much easier to qualify for than conventional mortgages.

Recommended: How to Use a Co-Borrower for a Loan

Can I Get a Personal Loan With a 715 Credit Score?

With a 715 credit score, you may be able to qualify for a personal loan with competitive rates and terms. While every lender has their own minimum credit score requirements, most are willing to work with borrowers who fall in the good credit score range.

A good credit score will give you strong approval odds and lower rates than borrowers with lower-than-average credit scores. If you aren’t satisfied with a lender’s offer, consider shopping around at other banks, credit unions, and online lenders.

Once a personal loan application is approved, the funds can be used for such expenses as:

•   Travel plans

•   A wedding or honeymoon

•   Medical or dental bills

•   A child’s summer camp costs

•   Consolidation of credit card debt

Personal loans typically come in amounts of a few thousand dollars to $50,000 or $100,000. Depending on your income and the lender’s requirements, you may qualify for a personal loan that falls anywhere within that range.

Personal loans usually have repayment terms of 2-7 years. Making consistent, on-time payments on your personal loan can help improve your credit score. Most personal loans have fixed interest rates, meaning the monthly payment won’t change for the entire term. A personal loan calculator can help you estimate the interest rate you can expect on your loan.

The Takeaway

A 715 credit score is generally considered good and also means you are near the national credit score average. With a credit score in this range, you should be able to qualify for various credit products, including credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, and auto loans. However, a 715 credit score is still below the very good and exceptional ranges. If you build your score further, you may qualify for better 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 Kevin Brouillard

A 630 credit score isn’t good, but it isn’t bad either. According to the FICO® Score scale, it falls in the fair range.

Your three-digit credit score indicates your creditworthiness as a borrower, including how you’ve managed debt and bills in the past. While a 630 credit score is below the average U.S. credit score of 715, you can likely still qualify for a credit card and different types of loans, such as a mortgage or car loan. You may, however, pay higher interest rates than those with a higher credit score.

Here’s what you need to know about a 630 credit score, from what it means to the types of financing you can qualify for.

What Does a 630 Credit Score Mean?

A credit score is a three-digit number, ranging from 300 to 850, that demonstrates your ability to repay debt. On the FICO scale, which is the most widely used credit scoring model, a 630 credit score sits in the middle of the “fair” category.

The other popular scoring system, VantageScore®, also uses a scale of 300 to 850. The higher your credit score, the less risk you pose as a borrower in the eyes of lenders.

Here’s an overview of FICO score ranges for further context on how a 630 credit score stacks up.

•   Poor credit: 300-579

•   Fair credit: 580-669

•   Good credit: 670-739

•   Very good credit: 740-799

•   Exceptional or excellent credit: 800-850

Simply put, the answer to whether 630 is a good credit score is no. A 630 credit score sits in the middle of the fair range. Approximately 16% of Americans have a credit score with a “fair” rating.

If you’re curious about how FICO and VantageScore calculate your credit score, here are the five key factors that affect your credit score:

•   Payment history (35%): Whether your loan and credit payments have been made on time is the single biggest contributor to a credit score.

•   Amounts owed (30%): How much revolving credit you have available versus your credit limit, known as your credit utilization, can harm your score if it exceeds 30%.

•   Length of credit history (15%): How long you have maintained your accounts impacts your score, with longer usually being better.

•   New credit (10%): Too many applications for credit in a short period of time can negatively impact your score.

•   Credit mix (10%): The variety of credit types you have, such as revolving credit and installment loans, can contribute positively to your score.

Recommended: How Many Lines of Credit Should I Have?

What Else Can You Get with a 630 Credit Score?

Lenders may view a borrower with a 630 credit score as a risky candidate for certain loan products. To get approval, you may be charged a higher interest rate or otherwise be offered less favorable terms due to the perceived risk of lending to borrowers with a fair credit rating.

Read on for a closer look at what you might qualify for as a borrower with a 630 credit score.

Can I Get a Credit Card with a 630 Credit Score?

Borrowers with fair credit can qualify for some types of credit cards. But the best credit cards with more favorable terms and perks, including lower interest rates and credit card points, typically require a good credit rating or higher to qualify.

If a 630 credit score has kept you from obtaining a credit card, you may want to look into a secured credit card. These cards tend to have lower minimum credit scores requirements but require a refundable deposit as collateral. The credit limit on the card typically corresponds to the deposit amount. In other words, a $600 deposit would translate to a $600 credit limit.

A secured credit card can help build your credit score and may help you qualify for an unsecured credit card if managed well. To do so, it’s important to stay on top of monthly payments and maintain a credit utilization ratio of 30% or less.

Worth noting: If you are struggling with credit card debt and high credit utilization, you might consider such options as a balance transfer credit card (to give you relief from high interest rates and help you pay down the principal) or a credit card consolidation loan, which can allow you to make just one payment a month and may offer a lower interest rate.

Recommended: Breaking Down the Different Types of Credit Cards

Can I Get an Auto Loan with a 630 Credit Score?

With a 630 credit score, car loans are not out of the question. However, you can expect to pay higher interest rates than those with a good credit rating. The average interest rate for borrowers with a credit score of 601-660 was 9.73% for a new car and 14.07% for a used car in the third quarter of 2024, compared to 6.70% for those with credit scores between 661 and 780 for a new car, and 9.63% for a used car.

You may need to make a higher down payment to get a car loan with a 630 credit score. Having a vehicle to trade in at the dealer can also help reduce the loan amount and secure more favorable terms.

Can I Get a Mortgage with a 628 Credit Score?

Yes, you can likely get a mortgage with a 630 credit score. Here’s a look at several types of home mortgages you might qualify for.

•   Conventional mortgage: The minimum credit score for a conventional home loan is usually 620. This type of home loan is not backed by the government, and you’ll need to have enough funds to cover the down payment and closing costs.

•   FHA loan: A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is meant for qualified first-time home buyers. Since these loans are insured by the federal government, you can qualify with a minimum credit score of 500. Borrowers with a credit score of at least 580 can get a FHA loan with just a 3.5% down payment; lower than that typically requires a 10% down payment.

•   USDA loan: Borrowers typically need a 640 credit score to automatically qualify for a USDA loan, which also requires purchasing a home in a designated rural area. However, lenders can consider other factors when evaluating your application.

•   VA loan: Service members, veterans, and qualifying surviving spouses may access a VA loan with a minimum credit score of 620, depending on the lender.

With a 630 credit score, you’re unlikely to qualify for a jumbo loan, which is typically for an amount higher than that of a conforming loan. You usually need a credit score of at least 700, plus a 10% down payment, to qualify for these larger, nonconforming home loans.

Can I Get a Personal Loan with a 630 Credit Score?

You can likely get a personal loan with a 630 credit score, but you probably won’t land a low interest rate. For a credit card consolidation loan to pay off high interest debt, you may need a higher credit score — 670 or above — to qualify.

As with any type of loan, you should compare rates from multiple lenders, including banks and online lenders, to find the best option before you apply for a personal loan. You might consider asking a family member or friend with stronger credit to cosign a personal loan to secure a better rate.

Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator

The Takeaway

To recap, a 630 credit score isn’t considered good, nor is it technically bad. It falls within the fair credit score range. Though you may qualify for credit cards and loans, you typically won’t get the most favorable terms. There are steps you can take to build your credit score and unlock more competitive rates, such as making on-time debt payments and keeping an eye on your credit utilization.

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 613 credit score doesn’t qualify as good. Rather, it is considered fair, which is the category below good and above poor. A credit score of 613 is below the national average of 715, and while you can likely access some forms of credit, you’ll probably pay higher interest rates and receive lower offers on loan amounts or credit limits than someone with a higher score.

Keep reading for a breakdown on where a 613 falls in the standard range of credit scores and what it means when applying for credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, or personal loans.

What Does a 613 Credit Score Mean?

FICO® is the most popular credit scoring model, which ranges from a low of 300 to a high of 850. It’s used by lenders and other creditors to evaluate how willing and able a potential borrower is to repay the borrowed funds. Not only does your credit score affect eligibility, it also affects terms like credit limits, loan amounts, and interest rates.

A higher credit score shows you have a positive history of making payments on time and generally don’t carry high outstanding debt balances.

So is a 613 credit score good or bad? According to FICO, it falls in the fair category. Here’s what that means compared to other FICO scores:

•   Poor: 300 to 579

•   Fair: 580 to 669

•   Good: 670 to 739

•   Very good: 740 to 799

•   Exceptional: 800 to 850

As you can see, a 613 is on the lower end of the credit spectrum. But that doesn’t mean you can’t qualify for loans or credit cards. You may just have to pay a higher interest rate and be flexible with the amount you can borrow.

What Else Can You Get with a 613 Credit Score?

You can still qualify for financing with a 613 credit score. But expect higher interest rates, lower loan amounts, and a stricter debt-to-income ratio requirement. When your credit score is 613, you may want to work on building your score to increase your odds of approval and the quality of terms when you apply for financing in the future. A higher score can help you get approved for such financial products as a conventional home loan and a personal loan.

If you need to apply for a credit card or loan in the meantime, here’s how you’re likely to fare with a 613 credit score.

Recommended: Using a Personal Loan to Pay Off Credit Card Debt

Can I Get a Credit Card with a 613 Credit Score?

Is 613 a good credit score for getting a credit card? It can be, although you probably won’t qualify for one with lots of benefits or a rewards program. Instead, you’ll probably qualify for a basic, no-frills card with a modest credit limit.

Another option is a secured credit card, which requires a deposit that’s equal to your credit limit. The money is held as collateral as you use your card for purchases. Your payments are reported to the credit bureaus, which helps build your credit score as long as you pay on time. After successfully managing your secured credit card, you may be upgraded to a better option and get your deposit back.

If you already have large, high-interest balances on existing cards, consider a credit card consolidation loan. This rolls your debt into one installment loan, which may offer a lower interest rate. It can also help simplify your payments into one monthly bill.

Can I Get an Auto Loan with a 613 Credit Score?

A 613 credit score car loan is possible. But just as with credit cards, you’ll probably have to pay a higher interest rate than you would with a better score. The average interest rate for a used car loan with a 613 credit score is 14.07%, while a loan for a new car averages 9.73% as of the third quarter of 2024. A borrower with a super prime score of 781 or higher averages rates of 7.41% and 5.08%, respectively.

Saving up for a larger down payment could help you qualify for a better rate. Plus, starting off with a smaller loan balance will keep your monthly payments lower. The better you stick to your budget, the more likely you are to make your payments on time — and that can help build your credit score. You might consider either trading in an older car to put toward a different model or wait as long as possible before you upgrade so you have more time to save.

Can I Get a Mortgage With a 613 Credit Score?

You’ll probably have a harder time qualifying for some mortgage programs with a 613 credit score. Here’s an overview of the most common types of home loans and how your application is likely to stack up based on credit score.

•   Conventional loan: Most lenders require a 620 credit score to be eligible for a conventional loan. That’s just out of reach if you have a 613, but building your score by seven points could help you qualify.

•   FHA loan: Although many mortgage lenders want at least a 620 credit score, it’s still possible to qualify for this government-back loan with a 613 score; some lenders will even accept a score of 500. The good news is that borrowers with a 580+ are able to make a 3.5% down payment, while those with a lower score (500 to 579) need to make a 10% down payment.

•   VA loan: Technically, VA loans (offered to military members, veterans, and survivors) don’t have a minimum credit score requirement. But as with other types of mortgages, lenders who offer this federal program for veterans often set their own credit minimum of 620.

•   USDA loan: Like a VA loan, there’s no official credit threshold set by the government, but many individual lenders will look for a 620 or higher.

Remember other factors impact mortgage decisions, including debt-to-income ratio and down payment amount. Having a co-borrower with a higher credit score may help your approval odds.

Recommended: Applying for a Loan With a Co-Borrower

Can I Get a Personal Loan with a 613 Credit Score?

Personal loans can be a valuable source of funding for everything from home improvements to vacation expenses. A few points to consider:

•   Some lenders will work with borrowers who have a 613 credit score, but many have personal loan requirements of at least a 670 score. If you do find a more flexible lender, expect higher interest rates and lower loan amounts.

•   Use a personal loan calculator to compare different loan amounts and interest rates to make sure payments stay affordable.

•   Applying for a secured personal loan can improve your chances for approval. You’ll need to provide some type of collateral, such as a car or bank deposits. If you default on the loan, the lender can recoup the loss by seizing your collateral.

The Takeaway

A credit score of 613 falls into the fair category, below good but above poor. Having a 613 credit score comes with some challenges in getting approved for financing. You will likely pay higher interest rates and have less favorable terms than you would if your score were higher. Building your score by at least several points may help your eligibility for an unsecured credit card, auto loan, mortgage, 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 Rebecca Lake

A credit score of 609 is not considered good. It falls into the fair category, which is below the good tier, but above the poor one, according to the FICO® credit scoring model.

With a 609 credit score, you may be able to access forms of credit, but you will likely pay higher interest rates and enjoy less favorable terms than those with a higher score. Here’s how this score can affect your ability to borrow.

What Does a 609 Credit Score Mean?

FICO credit scores, which are used by 90% of top lenders to qualify borrowers, range from 300 to 850, with 850 being the highest score you can attain.

Here are the ranges:

•   Exceptional (or excellent) credit: 800-850

•   Very good credit: 740-799

•   Good credit: 670-739

•   Fair credit: 580-669

•   Poor credit: 300-579

These scores are composed of five factors:

•   Payment history: 35%

•   Credit utilization: 30%

•   Credit history: 15%

•   Credit inquiries: 10%

•   Credit mix: 10%

According to FICO, a 609 credit score translates to a fair credit rating, as noted above. Fair credit means your score is lower than the average American’s, but some lenders will still extend credit to you. For perspective, the average FICO score was 715 in 2024, according to Experian.

Fair credit won’t make borrowing impossible, but it can make it more expensive. A 609 credit score typically means you won’t qualify for the lowest interest rates. Those are usually reserved for people with very good or exceptional credit, which means a FICO score of 740 or higher.

What Else Can You Get With a 609 Credit Score?

Is 609 a bad credit score? Technically, no; FICO rates a score below 580 as poor credit. With a score in that range, you might find it difficult to get approved for loans or credit cards, and if you do, you may face significantly higher interest rates.

So, what can a 609 credit score get you? You can likely qualify for a credit card, a car loan, and some mortgages and personal loans, though they may be expensive. Here’s a closer look.

Can I Get a Credit Card With a 609 Credit Score?

Credit cards are convenient when you need to pay for things on the go, and it’s possible to get a credit card with a 609 credit score. For an unsecured card, you may be able to obtain a card, but it will likely involve a higher interest rate than those with good or better credit, and it will probably lack any kind of credit card rewards. (You will probably have to pay an annual fee, too.)

Another option: You might apply for a secured credit card, which can help build credit. Here’s the difference:

•   Secured credit cards usually require a cash deposit to open, which doubles as your credit limit.

•   Unsecured credit cards don’t require a deposit.

Either type of card could help you build good credit if you practice good habits. That includes paying your bill on time each month and keeping the balance low relative to your credit limit (this is known as your credit utilization ratio). Payment history and credit utilization carry the most weight in FICO credit scoring.

It can be difficult to know which credit cards you can get with a 609 credit score, since credit card companies usually don’t publish minimum credit score requirements online. They may, however, market certain cards as being designed for people with fair credit, which can help you decide which ones to apply for.

Worth noting: Hard inquiries (meaning applications for new credit) can temporarily lower your credit score by several points, so it’s better to just pick one credit card to apply for at a time.

Can I Get an Auto Loan With a 609 Credit Score?

A 609 credit score car loan approval isn’t unheard of. You’ll need to find a lender willing to offer you financing. Some lenders specifically target borrowers with lower credit who may not be able to get approved for a car loan through a bank or online lender.

The downside of getting a car loan with a 609 credit score is that you’ll most likely pay more interest. Again, that’s because lenders reserve the lowest rates for borrowers with the highest credit scores.

So how much could you pay? Here’s what borrowers in the fair credit score range paid on average for car loans in the third quarter of 2024:

•   New car buyers paid 9.73%

•   Used car buyers paid 14.07%

By comparison, buyers with excellent credit paid 5.08% for new car loans and 7.41% for used car financing on average.

Here’s an example to review:

•   If you got a $20,000 used car loan with a 48-month repayment term at a 14.07% APR, your monthly payments would be $547, and you’d pay $6,267 in interest over the life of the loan.

•   Now, if you built your credit and qualified for a 7.41% APR instead, your monthly payment would drop to $483, and you would pay just $3,171 in total interest.

Those numbers could be a great incentive to work on building your score before applying for a car loan.

Can I Get a Mortgage With a 609 Credit Score?

A 609 credit score isn’t a barrier to getting a mortgage, but it may limit your loan options. For example, most lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 to qualify for conventional mortgages, as well as VA and USDA loans.

That said, some VA and USDA lenders will review your application and may fund your loan, even if your credit score is below 620.

You could also qualify for an FHA loan with a FICO score as low as 500. FHA loans are federally insured loans that are designed to help people buy homes, even when their credit isn’t perfect. If you’re in the 609 credit score range, you could buy a home with as little as 3.5% down (or 10% if your score ranges from 500 to 579) and access a favorable interest rate.

The best way to find a good FHA loan rate for fair credit is to shop around and compare rates from multiple lenders. Look for lenders that offer free rate quotes without affecting your credit scores.

Recommended: How Many Personal Loans Can You Have at Once?

Can I Get a Personal Loan With a 609 Credit Score?

Personal loans can put cash in your hands when you need it, whether for a big dental bill or the cost of a vacation. It’s possible to qualify for one with a 609 credit score, albeit probably at a higher interest rate than you’d be offered if your score was higher.

As with mortgages or car loans, it’s important to shop around. Compare personal loan rates, terms, and fees. If you’re getting a credit card consolidation loan to streamline your debts, it’s important to make sure the loan rate you qualify for is less than what you’re paying to your cards. Otherwise, consolidating might not save any money.

To really dig into the numbers, use a personal loan calculator to estimate what you might pay, based on different loan rates and terms.

The Takeaway

A 609 credit score isn’t considered good. Rather, it falls into the tier below that, which is fair. While you can qualify for some forms of credit, it will likely be at higher interest rates and with less favorable terms than if your score was higher. Carefully review options, whether for a credit card or personal loan, to make sure you understand the fine print.

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.