Student Loan Battles · verified 2026-10-24
The lenders are fighting over your student debt.
Student loan refinance and private student loan lenders, side by side. Every number comes from the lender's own page, linked on each row, with the date the rates were valid. Not ranked: rates depend on your credit, so we just line them up.
Before you refinance federal loans: once a federal loan is refinanced into a private loan, you permanently lose federal protections, including income-driven repayment (IDR), Public Service Loan Forgiveness and other forgiveness programs, and federal deferment and forbearance. You can't switch back.
| Lender | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Amounts | Min credit score | Autopay discount | Fees | Eligibility | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoFi Direct lender · refinance | 3.99%–10.49% | 5.24%–10.49% Ranges include 0.25% autopay and 0.125% Member Rate discounts | Minimum $5,000 total | Not published on page | 0.25% | Not published on page (examples assume the no-origination-fee option) | Loans must have funded tuition at an eligible Title IV school, enrolled at least half time | Visit SoFi rates as of 2026-10-24 (no date on page) |
| Earnest Direct lender · refinance | From 4.45% | From 5.88% Starting rates include the 0.25% autopay discount. The page title says fixed from 4.20% APR; the rate box says 4.45%. We show the rate box. | Not published on page | Not published on page | 0.25% | Not published on page | Federal and private loans can be refinanced together; cosigner allowed | Visit Earnest rates as of 2026-10-24 (no date on page) |
| ELFI Direct lender · refinance | From 4.29% | From 4.74% Starting rates as shown on page | Minimum $10,000 | 680 (36+ months of credit history) | Not published on page | No application, origination or prepayment fees | Bachelor's degree or higher; $35,000+ income; terms 5–20 years | Visit ELFI rates as of 2026-10-24 (no date on page) |
| Splash Financial Marketplace · refinance | 4.29%–11.37% | 4.74%–11.37% Rates come from Splash's lending partners | Generally $5,000 minimum, no maximum (varies by lender) | Not set; page says good to excellent credit, preferably 700+ | Varies by lender | No application, origination or prepayment fees | Varies by lender; may need graduation, minimum income, U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Visit Splash Financial rates as of 2026-10-24 (no date on page) |
| Credible Marketplace · refinance (compares partner lenders) | 3.95%–10.99% | Varies by partner lender Range across Credible's partner lenders, page updated Oct 22, 2026 | Varies by partner lender | Varies by partner lender | Varies by partner lender | Free to compare; lender fees vary | Soft pull to prequalify with up to 10 lenders | Visit Credible rates as of 2026-10-22 |
| College Ave Direct lender · private loans + refinance | Undergrad 2.05%–17.99% (fixed and variable combined) · Refinance 6.99%–13.99% | Included in the ranges at left All rates include the 0.25% autopay discount; the page doesn't split fixed and variable | Minimum $1,000; up to 100% of school-certified cost | Not published on page | 0.25% | No origination fees | Undergrad, grad, parent and career loans; refinance | Visit College Ave rates as of 2026-10-15 |
| Sallie Mae Direct lender · private student loans | 2.19%–17.49% | 3.75%–16.95% Smart Option Student Loan for undergrads | Minimum $1,000; up to school-certified cost of attendance | Not published on page | Not published on page | No origination fee or prepayment penalty | Enrolled at a participating school; non-citizens need a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident cosigner | Visit Sallie Mae rates as of 2026-10-19 |
APRs are the ranges each lender advertises. The lowest rates go to the most creditworthy borrowers and usually include autopay discounts. Checking your rate is usually a soft pull, but a full application is a hard pull. CashWars is not a lender or broker and doesn't take applications. Not financial advice.
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