At 600 (fair credit), online lenders, credit unions, and some banks approve personal loans up to $10,000 at 18 to 28 percent APR. Auto loans become available at 12 to 18 percent for new vehicles. Mortgages become accessible at 580+ through FHA. RadCred matches across multiple lender types including credit unions for the best 600-score rates.
600 is the middle of the fair credit band (580 to 669). You are past the hard threshold and into the territory where rate shopping starts to matter more than access. This article maps the realistic pricing and what to aim for next.
What a 600 credit score actually means
FICO 600 is “fair” (580 to 669). At 600:
- Most online lenders accept personal loan applications
- Some banks accept (SoFi at 680+, LightStream at 660+, but Wells Fargo and Citi accept some 600+ applicants with strong income)
- Credit unions broadly accept
- Auto loans at 10 to 16 percent APR for new vehicles, 12 to 20 percent for used
- FHA mortgage at 3.5 percent down, conventional at 620+ minimum
- Most unsecured credit cards accept (Capital One Quicksilver, Discover it, some Chase products)
- Insurance rates still carry a subprime premium (40 to 80 percent more than 700+ drivers in most states)
About 17 percent of Americans have FICO scores in the “fair” band. At 600, you have access to most lending products but at higher-than-average pricing. The next 20 to 70 points (to 620 or 670) is where pricing improves the most.
Realistic loan options at 600
| Product | Loan range | APR range | Bureau reporting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online installment (RadCred match) | $1,000 to $15,000 | 16 to 28% | Often yes |
| Avant | $2,000 to $35,000 | 9.95 to 35.99% | Yes |
| Upstart | $1,000 to $50,000 | 7.4 to 35.99% | Yes |
| Universal Credit (Upgrade) | $1,000 to $50,000 | 8.49 to 35.99% | Yes |
| Prosper | $2,000 to $50,000 | 6.99 to 35.99% | Yes |
| Credit union personal loan | $500 to $25,000 | 10 to 16% | Yes |
| FHA mortgage | $100,000+ | 6 to 7.5% | Yes |
| Auto loan (new) | $10,000 to $50,000 | 10 to 16% | Yes |
| Auto loan (used) | $5,000 to $30,000 | 12 to 20% | Yes |
At 600, the product set is broad. The difference from 580 is not access (both have access) but pricing. At 600, APRs are typically 2 to 6 percentage points lower than at 580 across all product types.
Realistic APR ranges at 600 (sourced)
| Loan amount | Typical APR at 600 | Monthly payment (24 months) | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,000 | 20% | $102 | $2,440 |
| $5,000 | 20% | $254 | $6,100 |
| $10,000 | 18% | $497 | $11,920 |
Compare against 580 pricing: a $5,000 loan at 600 (20 percent APR) costs $6,100. The same loan at 580 (25 percent) costs $6,400. The 20-point difference saves $300. These savings compound on larger loans and longer terms.
The fastest way to add 20 points (600 to 620)
620 is the conventional mortgage minimum and the tier where bank personal loans start accepting more broadly. The path.
1. Pay down revolving utilisation below 20 percent. At 600, you have likely already addressed the worst utilisation. Going from 30 percent to below 20 percent adds another 10 to 20 points. Below 10 percent maximises the effect.
2. Age your accounts. Stop opening new credit lines. Average age of accounts is 15 percent of FICO. Every 6 months without a new account increases this factor.
3. Maintain perfect payment history. At 600, one missed payment drops you 40 to 80 points. Autopay on every account.
4. Mix your credit types. If you have only credit cards, adding an installment loan (even a small credit-builder loan) adds to your credit mix, which is 10 percent of FICO.
Realistic timeline. 600 to 620 in 30 to 90 days with utilisation optimisation. 600 to 670 (the “good” threshold) in 6 to 12 months.
The four-step RadCred application
About 60 seconds, soft credit check only. At 600, you will typically see more offers at lower APRs than sub-580 applicants.
- Enter the amount.
- Share your monthly income.
- Provide your bank account.
- Review offers. Compare APRs, origination fees, and terms across multiple lenders.
Approved before 10:30 am central usually means same business day funding.
Three alternatives to consider
1. Credit union personal loan. At 600, many credit unions offer 10 to 16 percent APR, dramatically below online lender rates. Worth the membership ($5 to $25 share deposit).
2. 0 percent intro APR credit card. At 600, some general-purpose 0 percent cards accept. If you can pay the balance in the intro window (12 to 21 months), this is cheaper than any loan.
3. Wait 30 to 60 days for 620. If the need is not immediate, crossing 620 opens conventional mortgages and slightly better personal loan rates.
FAQ
Can I get a personal loan at 600?
Yes. Most online lenders, many credit unions, and some banks accept at 600.
What APR should I expect at 600?
For personal loans: 16 to 25 percent from competitive online lenders, 10 to 16 percent from credit unions. Bankrate 2026 average is 12.27 percent for 700 FICO, so at 600 expect 6 to 13 percentage points above average.
Can I get a conventional mortgage at 600?
Not yet. Conventional loans typically require 620 minimum. FHA at 3.5 percent down is available at 580+.
How much can I borrow at 600?
$1,000 to $50,000 depending on lender and income. Credit union loans may go to $25,000. Some online lenders offer up to $50,000 at 600 with strong income.
Is 600 good enough for a car loan?
Yes. New car APRs at 600 average 10 to 16 percent. Used car APRs 12 to 20 percent. Better than subprime but still above prime rates (6 to 9 percent at 700+).
How fast can I go from 600 to 670?
Typically 6 to 12 months with consistent utilisation management, on-time payments, and no new hard inquiries. Crossing 670 opens the “good” credit tier and mainstream pricing.
Sources referenced: Bankrate May 2026 personal loan rates, PrimeRates 2026 credit tier analysis, Experian Q1 2026 auto and credit data, Credible 2026 marketplace data, Avant product terms, Upstart and Universal Credit terms, Prosper terms, FICO score range definitions, conventional mortgage guidelines, FHA guidelines, Firstcard utilisation analysis.
