By Jackie Lam
(Last Updated – 03/2024)
If you have a credit score of 660, you are landing in the fair credit range. While it’s higher than what is categorized as a poor credit score, having a fair credit score could limit your financing options or cause you to pay higher interest rates.
That said, you can get approved for credit cards and loans with a 660 credit score. Learn more about what this score equates to and what kind of financing you can scoop up by being a member of the 660 credit-score club.
What Does a 660 Credit Score Mean?
The two most popular consumer credit companies are FICO® and VantageScore®. However, lenders use FICO more widely, with most — 90% to be exact — using FICO Scores. To simplify matters, this article focuses solely on FICO scoring models.
When it comes to credit score ranges, you can have a score that’s anywhere between 300 to 850. A 300 credit score is your lowest score, while an 850 is the highest. Let’s take a closer look at these FICO Score ranges:
• Poor: 300-579
• Fair: 580-669
• Good: 670-739
• Very Good: 740-799
• Excellent: 800-850
So, a 660 score is considered a fair credit score. However, it’s close to a credit score in the good range. For context: in 2023, the average credit score for the U.S. consumer was 715, which puts most American consumers squarely in the good zone.
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What Else Can You Get with a 660 Credit Score?
Is a 660 credit score good? Not quite. You need a 670 to qualify for that designation. A 660 credit score, however, can likely get you approved for many things: credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages, to name a few. Note that, depending on the lender and their requirements, you may qualify for a personal loan as well.
You’ll learn about getting approved for these different forms of credit and loans in a bit. But to reiterate an important point first: While there are overall ranges for minimum credit requirements for different types of financing, the specifics hinge on the lender. Each lender will have varying credit and financial requirements, and they might weigh each factor differently.
Some factors include:
•Employment history
• Income
• Assets
• Debt level
• Whether you’re applying with a co-borrower or cosigner
Recommended: FICO Score vs. Credit Score: What’s the Difference?
Can I Get a Credit Card with a 660 Credit Score?
You can certainly get approved with a 660 score; it’s above the minimum score for a credit card. However, cards with more favorable interest rates, premium rewards, and travel perks are typically reserved for those with higher credit scores.
You most likely won’t be approved for a card with a zero-percent introductory rate, as those cards are reserved for those with a 670 credit score or higher (aka good or excellent credit).
Along the same lines, you likely won’t be approved for a balance transfer card. That’s because you usually need a minimum credit score of 670 or higher.
To secure a card with lower interest rates, perks, zero-percent intro rates, or balance transfer cards, you might want to work on building your credit first. If you have a 660 credit score, you only need to build it by 10 points to be in the “good credit” range.
Can I Get an Auto Loan With a 660 Credit Score?
You can certainly get an auto loan with that credit score. Interestingly enough, many lenders might require you to have a credit score of 661 to snag lower interest rates and flexible terms on a car loan.
If you’re teetering on the threshold of that minimum 661+ credit score, work to build your credit. For instance, always make on-time payments, have a healthy mix of credit, and don’t apply for credit unnecessarily. Plus, keep your credit lines open to build your length of credit history.
Recommended: Can You Get a Personal Loan for a Car?
Can I Get a Mortgage with a 660 Credit Score?
Having a 660 credit score means you can qualify for a mortgage. The minimum credit score requirements for government-backed mortgages are as follows:
• FHA loan: 580 credit score with a 3.5% minimum down payment.
• USDA loan: The USDA doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement. However, partnering lenders might require a minimum score of 640.
• VA loan: No minimum credit score, but typically needs at least a 640 score.
Conventional loans, however, usually require a minimum score of 670 or higher to land the best interest rates and terms. Conventional loans are the most common type of mortgage. So, it’s a good idea to do what you can to build your credit score by a few points.
Can I Get a Personal Loan with a 660 Credit Score?
Getting a personal loan as a member of the 660 credit-score club can be a bit trickier than getting approval for a credit card or car loan. Lenders generally have a minimum credit score of 670. If credit is extended to you, there’s a good chance you will pay a higher interest rate as you’re deemed less creditworthy and, in turn, more risky.
While most personal loans are unsecured, which means you don’t have to offer collateral, secured personal loans do exist. When you offer collateral, the minimum credit score could be lower than for unsecured personal loans.
Recommended: Can I Pay Off a Personal Loan Early?
The Takeaway
Is 660 a good credit score? Technically, a 660 credit score is considered a fair credit score and may qualify you for loans. However, you’d likely net lower interest rates and better terms on credit cards and loans with a higher score.
You’re quite close to entering the threshold for good credit, which is 670. If you aren’t in a rush, building your credit can help you save money and have an easier time getting approved for financing in the near future.
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.
