Why You Can Trust the MarketWatch Guides Team
Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated top personal loan providers
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Providers RatedOur team researched more than two dozen of the country’s most popular personal lenders, including large online companies like SoFi, big banks like Wells Fargo, and peer-to-peer lenders like Upstart.
660
Data Points AnalyzedTo create our rating system, we analyzed each personal loan company’s disclosures, licensing documents, marketing materials, sample loan agreements and websites to understand their loan offerings and terms.
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Loan Features TrackedOur team regularly collects data on each company’s loan offerings and terms, such as minimum and maximum loan amounts, origination fees and discounts.
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Professionals ConsultedBefore we began our research process, we consulted with financial advisors and industry experts to ensure our evaluations covered the banking product aspects that matter most to potential customers.
The Best Lenders for a $25,000 Personal Loan
The best lenders for $25,000 personal loans have specialties such as small loans, low rates or borrowers with bad credit. Comparing lender rates and terms can help save you money and meet your budget needs.
LightStream
Our Top Pick
5.0
Affordability: 33/35
Loan Features: 29/35
Customer Experience: 18/20
Company Reputation: 10/10
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR)6.99% to 25.49%Term Options24 months to 144 monthsLoan Size Offered$5k to $100k
LightStream Overview
LightStream is an online lender that makes it simple to apply for personal loans. LightStream stands out for charging no fees and one of the widest ranges of loan terms, from 24 to 144 months. But to qualify, you need to have good or excellent credit.
Pros & Cons
Pros Fast application can be completed in minutes Funds may be available the same day No fees or prepayment penalties Autopay discount available for 0.5% off Cons Wide range of stated rates means limited clarity during the research and application process Only available for good-to-excellent credit profiles No in-person branches to visit
LightStream Eligibility Requirements
LightStream prefers good to excellent credit scores, so around 670 to 850 on the commonly used FICO scale. LightStream will also evaluate your financial profile to ensure that you have sufficient income and assets to handle paying down the loan alongside any debt you already have. You must also have a valid Visa or MasterCard credit card for verification purposes.
SoFi
Best Customer Service
4.9
Affordability: 30/35
Loan Features: 29/35
Customer Experience: 19/20
Company Reputation: 10/10
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR)8.99% to 29.49%Term Options24 months to 84 monthsLoan Size Offered$5k to $100k
SoFi Overview
SoFi offers personal loans from $5,000 to $100,000 and terms from two to seven years. You can get support from their customer service over chat and phone so you can feel confident during the application and loan closing process.
Pros & Cons
Pros Same-day personal loan funding is available Autopay discount of 0.25% Fixed interest rates for the term of your loan No origination fees, prepayment penalties or late fees for qualified borrowers “Unemployment protection” may pause your payments if you lose your job Cons May charge an origination fee up to 6% Credit score of 670 or more may be necessary Not available in all states
SoFi Eligibility Requirements
SoFi considers credit history alongside current income and financial history during the approval process. If you are not currently employed, you must have an offer of employment starting within the next 90 days. SoFi is not licensed in all states, so you shouldverify state eligibilitybefore applying.
PenFed Credit Union
Best for Small Loans
4.8
Affordability: 35/35
Loan Features: 24/35
Customer Experience: 17/20
Company Reputation: 10/10
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR)7.99% to 17.99%Term Options12 months to 60 monthsLoan Size Offered$600 to $50k
PenFed Overview
Not everyone needs a large personal loan, and that’s where lender PenFed comes in. PenFed Credit Union offers loans from $600 to $50,000. However, if you need money fast, PenFed may not be the best option. You’ll need to join the credit union to qualify, and it does not offer same-day funding.
Pros & Cons
Pros No fees for early payoff origination or other hidden fees Small loans available from $600 Competitive rates ranging to the lower end of potential rates Cons Must become a member of PenFed Credit Union to receive funds Loans capped at $50,000 No same-day fund delivery available
PenFed Eligibility Requirements
PenFed does not state a required credit score for eligibility, but does indicate that a score of at least 580 is needed in general for personal loans. PenFed offers prequalification resulting in several preapproved offers to choose from for your official application. Borrowers must become members of PenFed Credit Union before taking on the loan.
Discover
Best for Low Rates
4.6
Affordability: 35/35
Loan Features: 21/35
Customer Experience: 16/20
Company Reputation: 10/10
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR)7.99% to 24.99%Term Options36 months to 84 monthsLoan Size Offered$2.5k to $40k
Discover Overview
Discover is a familiar name offering personal loans from $2,500 to $40,000 with competitive rate options. Loans are available in 36- to 84-month terms. However, you can’t get money delivered to you the same day, and you’ll need to pay a late fee if you’re behind on a payment.
Pros & Cons
Pros Competitive low rates available for desirable applicants Smaller loans available, starting at $2,500 No prepayment penalties Cons Wide range of rates makes it difficult to know what to expect during the application process Discover charges late fees No same-day funds available Loans capped at $40,000
Discover Eligibility Requirements
Discover requires that borrowers be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and at least 18 years old. They must have an individual or household income of at least $25,000. Borrowers must provide a physical address and email address during the application process.
Upstart
Best for Bad Credit
4.4
Affordability: 28/35
Loan Features: 25/35
Customer Experience: 17/20
Company Reputation: 10/10
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR) 7.80% to 35.99%
Upstart Overview
Sometimes, a loan can help you improve a bad credit history by consolidating debt, but getting approved for apersonal loan with a low credit scorecan be difficult. Upstart takes into consideration things like your education* and employment weighted alongside your credit score to give you the best chance of approval.
Pros & Cons
Pros Available for some borrowers with bad credit Small loan amounts available starting at $1,000** Fixed interest rates for simple budgeting No prepayment fees Cons Loans capped at $50,000 Wide range of interest rates with some on the high end (up to 35.99%***) make Upstart loans potentially expensive Upstart loans may come with origination fees of up to 12%
Upstart Eligibility Requirements
Upstart loan applicants must have a valid U.S. street address, be 18 years old, have a valid email and verifiable personal information such as Social Security number and date of birth. Borrowers must have a regular source of income providing at least $12,000 per year. Applicants must also meet minimum credit requirements such as at least one consumer credit report, no new adverse credit changes, no recent bankruptcies, no current delinquent accounts, a debt-to-income ratio maximum of 45% to 50% and fewer than six credit inquiries in the last six months for credit outside student loans, vehicle loans or mortgages. Upstart is not available to residents of West Virginia or Iowa.
U.S. Bank
Best for Bank Switchers
4.4
Affordability: 34/35
Loan Features: 28/35
Customer Experience: 12/20
Company Reputation: 5/10
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR)8.74% to 24.99%Term Options12 months to 60 months (for non-customers)Size Offered$1k to $50k
U.S. Bank Overview
Sometimes, it pays to borrow from a new bank, and that’s what customers may find when applying for a personal loan from U.S. Bank. Customers of U.S. Bank often see better borrowing perks versus non-customer applicants, including a lower required credit score, double the borrowing potential and extended terms.
Pros & Cons
Pros Minimum required FICO score of 660 required Loan terms from 12 to 84 months Loan amounts from $1,000 to $50,000 No origination fees or prepayment penalties Autopay discount of 0.5% available Cons Non-U.S. Bank customers need a higher minimum required FICO score of 720 Non-U.S. Bank customer loan terms are limited to a maximum of 60 months Non-U.S. Bank customer loan amounts are limited to $25,000
U.S. Bank Eligibility Requirements
U.S. Bank requires a FICO Score of 660 or above for personal loans for current customers looking to borrow. Borrowers who are not customers will need a FICO Score of 720. Applicants must be able to provide a Social Security number, physical address and employment information.
Upgrade
Best Discounts
4.3
Affordability: 22/35
Loan Features: 28/35
Customer Experience: 18/20
Company Reputation: 10/10
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR)8.49% to 35.99%Term Options24 months to 84 monthsLoan Size Offered$1k to $50k
Upgrade Overview
Upgrade is an online lender that helps customers qualify for loans from $1,000 to $50,000. Customers may get rate discounts by using autopay and having debt paid off directly.
Pros & Cons
Pros No prepayment fees Offer to get a $200 bonus when you open an Upgrade checking account Adjustable payment dates to meet your budget needs Cons Origination fee of 1.85% to 9.99% Upstart does charge late fees Best rates require autopay and applicable direct debt payoffs
Upgrade Eligibility Requirements
Loan applicants with fair creditmay be considered by Upgrade, however applicants will need to provide income and identity documents.
Wells Fargo
Best for In-Person Service
4.3
Affordability: 35/35
Loan Features: 26/35
Customer Experience: 17/20
Company Reputation: 0/10
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR)7.49% to 23.24%Term Options12 months to 84 monthsLoan Size Offered$3k to $100k
Wells Fargo Overview
For customers looking to borrow from a lender with the option for in-person branch visits, Wells Fargo personal loans are worth consideration. Loans are available from $3,000 to $100,000 with terms ranging from 12 to 84 months. However, Wells Fargo only offers existing customers personal loans, so applicants must have an account for at least 12 months.
Pros & Cons
Pros No origination or closing fees No prepayment penalty Relationship discount of 0.25% to 0.5% is available to those with a qualifying checking account and making automatic payments from a Wells Fargo deposit account Cons Must be a Wells Fargo customer for at least 12 months to apply Wells Fargo may charge late fees If autopay turns off, monthly payments and interest rates may increase
Wells Fargo Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for Wells Fargo, you must have a pre-existing banking relationship for at least 12 months. With a qualifying checking account, you will be further eligible for a relationship discount of 0.25% to 0.5% while making automatic payments. Applicants must provide personal contact information, Social Security or Individual Tax Identification number, along with employment and income information.
If you want to learn more, here’s ourreview of Wells Fargo.
How To Get a $25,000 Personal Loan
The process to get a $25,000 personal loan is straightforward. You’ll first need to apply for a personal loan from a lender. Then, if you meet the requirements, you’ll likely get approved.
Applying for a $25,000 Personal Loan
Typically, you can apply for a $25,000 personal loan directly with a lender. They may offer application forms on their website or in hard copies at a branch location. Some approvals may only take minutes, while you may wait to hear about approval for several days in other cases. You may receive funds as quickly as that day or sometime within the next week.
Research and compare lenders before submitting an application. Each lender may offer its own rates and terms. They may also have different approval requirements. You can get prequalified — contingent approval — before applying to ensure you meet requirements. This can help protect your credit score, as rejections can lead to multiple applications, each of which can temporarily ding your score.
Follow these steps to apply for a $25,000 personal loan:
- Gather the necessary documents, including income proof like pay stubs, and personal data such as your Social Security number.
- Check your credit score to know which types of loans you may qualify for. You may already have access to your credit report through your bank or credit card account. Free copies are available from AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Research and choose lenders.
- Prequalify where available to see which lenders will most likely officially approve your loan application.
- Submit your final applications and wait for approval.
>> Related: Learn more about how to prequalify for a personal loan
Requirements for a $25,000 Personal Loan
Lenders consider your financial situation holistically when assessing you for a loan. They will consider your credit score, income and current debts before making an approval decision. Typically, a desirable credit score for a $25,000 personal loan is around 670 and above, but some lenders work with those who have scores from 580 and up.
Demonstrating that you have enough income to pay the monthly loan payments is essential. Lenders may request your pay stubs to assess income. They will also use your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio to compare the amount of debt obligations you have to your income. To get approved for a loan, ideally your DTI should be below 36%, but some lenders may accommodate DTIs up to 45%.
The better your credit score, income and DTI, the better rates and terms you may qualify for when borrowing a $25,000 loan.
>> Related: Learn more about personal loan requirements
Alternatives to a $25,000 Personal Loan
Some other borrowing alternatives may offer better rates or repayment flexibility than a personal loan, such as home equity lines of credit, home equity loans or peer-to-peer lending.
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a type of revolving credit — similar to a credit card — that you can apply for based on the equity in your loan. You can spend up to your limit, pay it down, and then spend it again during the draw period of your loan, making this versatile for expected but unknown expenses. Typically, you can get approved for a line of credit for up to 80% of your existing home equity. Rates are often lower than personal loans because the property acts as collateral, but may rise if you have poor credit. But you can lose your home if you default on this loan.
>> Related: Learn more about what is a HELOC
Home Equity Loans
Similar to a HELOC, home equity loans let you borrow cash based on your home equity. This type of loan delivers the full amount all at once. You pay it back in set payments like a mortgage. This makes it ideal for set expenses, such as funding a home addition. Generally, you can borrow up to 80% of your home equity for this type of loan. Like a HELOC, the best home equity loan rates are often lower in general but subject to your credit history. You can lose your home if you default on this loan.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending
Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending loans permit you to borrow money directly from an individual. It is often useful for riskier endeavors like business startups or borrowers with poor credit who may have trouble securing a traditional loan. Borrowers apply for loans on peer-to-peer platforms and will likely need to undergo typical lending eligibility assessments, including credit checks. These loans also generally come with origination fees, which make your loan more expensive.
Things To Consider When Applying
If you want to get a $25,000 loan, there are many lenders that may fit your personal financial situation. Compare and prequalify at a variety of financial institutions to see the best rates available. During the application process, you should be ready to provide your personal information, including your income information. You’ll only want to borrow the amount you can comfortably repay. Once you are approved for a loan, protect your credit by paying on time for the duration of the loan.
A financial advisor or expert can help you assess your borrowing capacity. They may also be able to help you choose between personal loan alternatives like HELOCS, home equity loans or peer-to-peer lending.
Frequently Asked Questions About $25,000 Personal Loans
Different loans come with different term lengths, so it may depend on your lender how long it will take to pay off a $25,000 loan. Loan terms often come in common lengths such as two years to five years.
Some lenders work with customers who have credit scores around 580 and up, while other lenders look for good-to-excellent credit profiles around 670 to 850.
Many lenders draw the line at $100,000 for the maximum available as a personal loan.
Getting approved for any loan will be dependent on your financial profile as a whole, but targeting loans designed for bad credit — such as Upstart’s personal loans — may make it easier to get approved due to lower qualification requirements.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Personal Loans
Our team put together a comprehensive 100-point rating system to evaluate personal loan companies. We gathered data points from 28 of the most prominent lenders in the U.S. and analyzed disclosures, licensing documents, sample loan agreements, marketing materials and websites. Our rating system takes into account four broad categories.
- Affordability (35%): How expensive each company’s loans are to pay back
- Loan features (35%): The breadth of loan terms and features available to prospective customers
- Customer experience (20%): Ease of application, prequalification and customer service interactions
- Company reputation (10%): An exploration of lenders’ Better Business Bureau files, customer reviews and outstanding regulatory actions
Our top-rated lenders may not be the best fit for all borrowers. To learn more, read our full personal loans methodology.
Editor’s Note: Before making significant financial decisions, consider reviewing your options with someoneyou trust, such as a financial adviser, credit counselor or financial professional, since every person’s situation and needs are different.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team ateditors@marketwatchguides.com.
Emily CahillContributing Writer
Emily Cahill is a freelance personal finance writer who is passionate about empowering people to make smart choices in their financial and personal lives. Her work has appeared on Experian, GOBankingRates and Money.com.
Jen Hubley LuckwaldtEditor
Jen Hubley Luckwaldt is an editor and writer with a focus on personal finance and careers. A small business owner for over a decade, Jen helps publications and brands make financial content accessible to readers. Through her clients, Jen’s writing has been syndicated to CNBC, Insider, Yahoo Finance, and many local newspapers. She is a regular contributor to Career Tool Belt and Career Cloud.
