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4.49%–16.85% APR (variable or fixed)· #1
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Earnest

Earnest Operations LLC

Earnest

Precision pricing that rewards responsible borrowers

Earnest's precision pricing model and borrower-friendly features — including the ability to skip one payment per year — make it the top private lender for responsible borrowers. Their highly customizable repayment terms let you calibrate exactly to your post-graduation budget.

✓ Pros

  • Skip one payment per year with no penalty — unique among lenders
  • Highly customizable repayment terms from 5 to 20 years
  • Precision pricing uses full financial picture, not just credit score

✕ Cons

  • Not available in Nevada or Nevada residents
  • No cosigner release option

Scores

Overall
9.3
Safety
9.2
Value
9.1
Ease
9.4
Quality
9.3

Specifications

apr Range4.49%–16.85%
loan Amounts$1,000–$250,000
repayment Terms5–20 years
cosigner Releasefalse
payment Skiptrue