Editorial confidence (30%), cost (25%), value (25%), accessibility (20%) — scored consistently across every product, independent of compensation.
At a glance
Variable APR: 5.62–16.85% (With autopay; per Earnest disclosure — verify current rates)
Fixed APR: 4.45–16.20% (With autopay; per Earnest disclosure — verify current rates)
Fees: None (No origination, prepayment, or late fees per Earnest disclosure)
Skip-a-payment: 1x per year (One skipped payment per year allowed without penalty per Earnest policy)
Who Earnest Private Student Loans is best for
Graduate and professional borrowers (law, MBA, medical) with strong income trajectory who want a low-fee lender.
Pros
Merit-based underwriting considers financial trajectory — useful for high-income-path grad borrowers
No fees — origination, late payment, or prepayment per Earnest disclosure
Skip-a-payment feature once per year for payment flexibility
Backed by Goldman Sachs (Marcus) — established financial institution
Precision pricing — custom term selection available
Cons
Undergraduate co-signer path less differentiated than Sallie Mae or College Ave
Variable APR ceiling (16.85%) on par with other lenders for thin profiles
Co-signer release requires 36 consecutive payments — one of the longer timelines
Earnest Private Student Loans requirements
Residency: U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Enrollment: Enrolled at least half-time at a Title IV school
Credit profile: Graduate and professional borrowers typically qualify independently; most undergraduates require a co-signer
Co-signer release: 36 consecutive on-time payments required for co-signer release
US citizen or permanent resident
Enrolled at least half-time at Title IV school
Graduate and professional borrowers typically qualify independently; undergrads often need co-signer
Earnest Private Student Loans rates & fees
Earnest's variable APR ranges from 5.62% to 16.85% and fixed APR from 4.45% to 16.20%, both with autopay discount per Earnest disclosure. There are no origination, prepayment, or late fees — verify current rates at earnest.com.
Earnest Private Student Loans — Merit-based underwriting for graduate borrowers — financial trajectory matters alongside FICO. Best for: Graduate and professional borrowers (law, MBA, medical) with strong income trajectory who want a low-fee lender.. Compare it against alternatives before applying; the right fit depends on your situation, credit, and goals.
Questions about Earnest Private Student Loans
How does Earnest's merit-based underwriting differ from traditional FICO underwriting?
Traditional private student loan lenders underwrite primarily on current FICO score and current income. Earnest's model also incorporates educational background (school, program, graduation timeline) and employment trajectory as indicators of future creditworthiness. In practice, this helps high-earning-path graduate borrowers (MD, JD, MBA candidates) who have good academic records but limited current income qualify for better rates. Source: Earnest underwriting disclosures at earnest.com.
Is ClearValue Lending affiliated with Earnest?
No. This is an independent editorial review. ClearValue Lending is not affiliated with Earnest LLC or Goldman Sachs / Marcus. All loan terms are determined by Earnest. Verify current APRs, fees, and eligibility at earnest.com before applying.
How we rate
Every pick gets a 1–5 ClearValue Rating computed from four weighted factors: Editorial confidence (30%), Cost (25%), Value (25%), and Accessibility (20%).
Scored consistently across every product and independent of any compensation. Full methodology →
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