Earnest

Why We Like It

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 & Cons

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

Score Breakdown

Lenders were evaluated on APR range, repayment flexibility and hardship options, cosigner release availability, borrower benefits, and application experience. Note: always exhaust federal loan options before private loans.