Advertiser Disclosure: WiseIQ earns a commission when you apply for products through links on this page. This does not influence our rankings. See how we rank products →
How we rank: Products are ranked by credit score fit, rates, fees, and features — not by commission size. See full methodology →
Editor's Pick
SoFi Student Loan Refinancing
SoFi Bank · Refinancing
Highest-Rated Overall — Based on WiseIQ's Methodology Refi
No Fees
Refinance federal and private loans with no origination fees, no prepayment penalties, and unemployment protection if you lose your job.
Rates from 4.49% APR (variable)
No origination or prepayment fees
Unemployment protection program
Career coaching included
Refinance $5K–$500K
Cosigner release available
Earnest Student Loan Refinancing
Earnest · Refinancing
Best Flexibility
Skip one payment per year, choose your exact monthly payment, and get a rate match guarantee if you find a lower rate elsewhere.
Skip one payment per year
Rate match guarantee
No origination or prepayment fees
Choose your exact monthly payment
Biweekly payment option
Refinance $5K–$500K
Splash Financial
Splash Financial · Refinancing Marketplace
Best Rate Shopping
Compare multiple lender offers with a single application. Splash matches you with credit unions and banks competing for your loan.
One application, multiple offers
Credit union rates often lower
No origination fees
Soft credit pull to compare
Refinance $5K–$300K
Medical, dental, law school eligible
College Ave Student Loans
College Ave · Private Student Loans
Best Private Loan
Private student loans for undergrad, grad, and professional degrees with flexible repayment options including interest-only while in school.
4 repayment options while in school
No origination or prepayment fees
Multi-year approval available
Covers up to 100% of school costs
Cosigner release after 24 payments
Grad, law, MBA, medical eligible
Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan
Sallie Mae · Private Student Loans
Most Widely Available
One of the most widely used private student loan lenders in the U.S., with loans available at over 2,000 schools and no origination fee.
Available at 2,000+ schools
No origination fee
4-month free Chegg tutoring included
Graduated repayment option
Cosigner release after 12 payments
Part-time student eligible
Discover Student Loans
Discover Bank · Private Student Loans
No Fees Ever
Zero fees of any kind — no origination, no late fees, no returned check fees. Plus a 1% cash reward for good grades (3.0 GPA or higher).
Zero fees of any kind
1% cash reward for 3.0+ GPA
No cosigner required (with good credit)
Covers up to 100% of school costs
Multi-year approval available
Undergrad, grad, health professions
CommonBond Student Loan Refinancing
CommonBond · Refinancing
Top Pick for Grad Degrees — Based on WiseIQ\'s Methodology
Specializes in refinancing for MBA, law, and medical school graduates. Hybrid loan option lets you lock in a fixed rate for 5 years then switch to variable.
Hybrid loan option (fixed then variable)
Forbearance up to 24 months
No origination or prepayment fees
Social promise: fund one child's education per loan
MBA, law, medical specialization
Refinance $5K–$500K
Always Use Federal Loans First
Federal student loans (FAFSA) offer income-driven repayment plans, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and deferment/forbearance options that private lenders cannot match. Only consider private loans after maximizing your federal aid package. If you already have federal loans, refinancing them into a private loan permanently removes access to federal protections.