CompareFairlyBest Student Loan Refinance Companies 2026
Our pick : Citizens Bank (68/100) · Cheapest : Citizens Bank · Best value : Citizens Bank
Comparison table
| Criterion | Citizens Bank | Discover | Laurel Road | Splash Financial | Sallie Mae |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest Rate (%) | 4.5 | 4.75 | — | — | — |
| Fees (USD) | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — |
| Autopay Discount (%) | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | 0.25 | — |
| Loan Term (years) | 15 | 10 | 5.0 | — | — |
| Minimum Loan Amount (USD) | 5000 | 1000 | 5000.0 | 5000.0 | — |
| Maximum Loan Amount (USD) | 75000 | 75000 | — | — | — |
| Repayment Options | Standard, Interest-Only, Deferred | Standard | — | — | — |
| Cosigner Release | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — |
| Eligibility Requirements | Good credit, income requirements | Good credit score, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency | Associate's degree required. Certain healthcare professions/degrees qualify (e.g., Cardiovascular Technicians, EMT/Paramedics, Nursing, Physical Therapy Assistants). Medical or dental students may qualify to refinance while in school with deferred payments post-residency/fellowship. | U.S. citizenship; some lenders accept permanent residents. Bachelor's degree or associate's degree in an eligible field. For medical school refinance loan rates, professionals must be working to complete a medical residency or fellowship. Medical student refinance loan monthly payments are capped at $100 during residency and for six (6) months after completion. To qualify for refinancing with an associate's degree, the degree must be for one of the following fields: Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT); Dental Hygiene; Diagnostic Medical Sonography; EMT/Paramedics; Nuclear Technician; Nursing; Occupational Therapy Assistant; Pharmacy Technician; Physical Therapy Assistant; Radiation Therapy; Radiologic/MRI Technologist; Respiratory Therapy; or Surgical Technologist. Splash suggests that its lenders are unlikely to loan to borrowers with debt-to-income ratios in excess of 30%. | Credit history (at least mid-600s), record of on-time payments, income and debt-to-income ratio, citizenship status, loan balance |
| Customer Service Rating (/5) | 4.2 | 4.6 | — | — | — |
| Loan types offered | Private Student Loans | Private Student Loans | — | — | Private student loans |
In short
This comparison covers 5 student loan refinance across 11 criteria: Interest Rate, Fees, Autopay Discount, Loan Term, Minimum Loan Amount, Maximum Loan Amount. Citizens Bank comes first with 68/100, driven by Interest Rate (100/100) and Customer Service Rating (91/100). Discover follows at 41/100 and beats it on Minimum Loan Amount. The cheapest option is Citizens Bank.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best student loan refinance companies in 2026?
In 2026, Citizens Bank and Discover are top contenders for student loan refinancing, offering competitive rates and flexible terms based on our latest comparison.
How do student loan refinance companies compare on interest rates and fees?
Our comparison evaluates companies like Citizens Bank and Discover on their interest rates and fees, aiming to find the most cost-effective options for borrowers.
Can I get a lower interest rate by refinancing my student loans?
Refinancing can potentially lower your interest rate, especially if your credit score has improved or market rates have decreased since you first took out your loans.
How is your student loan refinance ranking determined?
Our ranking is based on objective data across key criteria like interest rates and fees; we do not accept payment for placement, ensuring a neutral and reliable comparison for all users.
Methodology and transparency
Ranking: options are sorted on measured, sourced criteria. No position is ever sold, and no advertiser pays to appear here.
Scope: this comparison is not exhaustive. It presents the options our sources document, not every offer on the market.
Earnings: some outbound links may be affiliate links that earn us a commission. This never affects the ranking, the scores or the data.
Data: every value is linked to its source and refreshed automatically; the collection date is shown.