Earnest Student Loans vs Laurel Road Student Loans
Earnest is a merit-based lender with custom terms. How does it compare to Laurel Road? Read our comparison chart below.
Earnest sets itself apart by taking a more personalized approach to lending. Instead of just looking at your credit score, Earnest also considers your job, savings habits, and how you handle finances. It offers flexibility in payments, with the option to switch between fixed and variable rates. You also can skip a payment every 12 months without penalty. Minimum $5,000 in loans to be eligible.
While Laurel Road offers some of the most competitive refinance rates. There is no cap on the amount you can refinance, so it's a good choice for professionals who got a MBA, medical, or law degree. Minimum $5,000 in loans to be eligible.
Compare Earnest with Laurel Road, side-by-side.
Learn More | ||
Earnest Student Loans | Laurel Road Student Loans | |
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Refinance Student Loans - | ||
Benefits and Features | ||
Variable APR | 5.99% - 9.74% APR (includes 0.25% autopay discount) | |
Fixed APR | 5.19% - 9.74% APR (includes 0.25% autopay discount) | |
Minimum Amount | ||
Maximum Amount | ||
Loan Term | Custom term from 5 to 20 years (180 term options) | |
State Residency | Most states with the exception of: DE, KY, and NV and no variable rate loans to residents of: AK, IL, MN, NH, OH, TN and TX | |
Degree Requirements | ||
Income Requirements | ||
Employment Requirements | Must be employed or have an offer for a position to start within 6 months | Must be employed or have an offer |
Interest Only Payments | ||
Origination Fees | ||
Prepayment Penalty | ||
Can Use a Cosigner | ||
Can Release a Cosigner | ||
Auto-Pay Interest Rate Reduction | ||
Soft Credit Check | ||
Unemployment Protection | ||
CreditDonkey® Reviews | ||
Loan Term | ||
Customer Service | ||
Ease of Use | ||
Interest Rates | ||
Payment Flexibility | ||
Pros & Cons | Pros:
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Bottom Line | Merit-based lender with custom terms... | |
Earnest: Pricing information from published website as of 11/28/2023 Laurel Road: Pricing information from published website as of 03/18/2018 |
Still need help deciding which student loans is better? Read the in-depth reviews below. You may also be interested in comparing Earnest or SoFi.