Getting your MBA is an investment in your professional future, but limits on federal student loans mean more business school students will need to turn to private student loans to help foot the bill.
If you have good credit, you may be able to get approved for a competitive rate on your own. But, if you're new to the professional world, you may need a co-signer.
CNBC Select compared interest rates, credit requirements, repayment terms and other criteria to find the best MBA student loans. (See our methodology for more on how we made our picks.)
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Undergraduate and graduate students, parents, students in MBA, law, health professional and dental programs
$5,000 (or state-mandated minimum) up to the cost of attendance
5, 7, 10, 15, years; up to 20 years for refinancing loans
Terms apply.
Undergraduate and graduate students, parents, international students with U.S. co-signer
$1,000 up to the cost of attendance ($180,000 lifelong maximum)
5, 8, 10, 15 years for undergraduate loans, up to 20 years for graduate loans
Terms apply
Best for loan terms: College Ave
- High loan amount
- Flexible repayment terms
- Hardship protections like deferment and forbearance
- No co-signer required for U.S. students
- Offers repayment terms of up to 20 years for graduate student loans (otherwise, up to 15 years for undergraduate loans)
- Co-signers can't be released until half of the repayment term has passed
- Charges late fees
College Ave's student loan products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or BTG Pactual Bank, N.A., member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply.
All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on the creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term
Who's this for? College Ave lets borrowers choose payment terms of 5, 8, 10 or 15 years.
Standout benefits: College Ave's loan application takes only three minutes to complete. Its Peace of Mind multi-year loan approval process makes it easier to get funding in subsequent semesters.
Best for part-time students: Sallie Mae
- Loans available to part-time and continuing ed students
- Co-signer release after just 12 payments
- No origination fee
- Offers loans for a wide variety of educational needs including: bar study, medical school, residency and relocation costs, dental school, residency and relocation costs, nursing school/health professions, commercial flight school, coding boot camp and professional certifications
- No student loan refinancing
- Doesn't offer parent loans
- Hard credit check to prequalify
- Late payment fee
Who's this for? Sallie Mae's MBA loans are available for students enrolled less than half-time. Borrowers are eligible for a six-month grace period, plus internship or fellowship deferment in 12-month increments for up to 48 months.
Standout benefits: Sallie Mae offers interest-only payments for 12 months following the graduate loan grace period.
Best for borrower rewards: SoFi
- 0.25% autopay interest rate discount
- 0.125% SoFi Plus discount
- No origination fees, no late fees and no insufficient fund fees
- Private loans, which means you lose federal loan benefits
- $5,000 minimum loan amount
Fixed rates range from 3.99% APR to 9.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount and 0.125% SoFi Plus discount. Variable rates range from 5.74% APR to 9.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount and 0.125% SoFi Plus discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates will never exceed 13.95% (the maximum rate for these loans). SoFi rate ranges are current as of 5/6/26 and are subject to change at any time. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term. Autopay Discount: The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly payments as outlined in your loan agreement by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. When the autopay interest rate deduction is added or removed, the next time the loan is re-amortized (quarterly for fixed rate loans; monthly for variable rate loans),the principal balance of your loan will be spread over the remaining loan term, and your monthly payment amount will change. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment, grace period, or forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi. Member Rate Discount: To be eligible for an additional 0.125% interest rate reduction on a Student Loan Refinancing, you must, within 31 days of loan funding, either (1) be a SoFi Plus subscriber, (2) receive an Eligible Direct Deposit into a SoFi Checking or Savings account, or (3) receive at least $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits into a SoFi Checking or Savings account. You must continue to meet at least one of the above eligibility criteria every 31 days to maintain the discount. See the SoFi Plus terms for details on SoFi Plus subscription. For more details on Eligible Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, please see https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. Once you become eligible during the initial period, the discount will be removed or reinstated depending on whether the criteria have been met. Each time your loan is re-amortized, your monthly payment amount will change based upon the interest rate that was in place. SoFi reserves the right to modify or terminate this offer at any time for unenrolled participants. You are not required to meet these criteria to be approved for a loan. SoFi Plus Discount: To be eligible to receive an additional (0.125%) interest rate reduction on your Student Loan Refinancing (your "Loan") for enrolling in SoFi Plus, you must enroll in SoFi Plus within 30 days of Loan funding, either by receiving an Eligible Direct Deposit to your SoFi Checking and Savings account, or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. Once eligible, you will receive this discount during periods in which you have received Eligible Direct Deposit to your SoFi Checking and Savings Account, or during periods in which SoFi successfully receives payment of the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. This discount lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your regular monthly payment. This discount will be removed during periods in which SoFi determines you have turned off Eligible Direct Deposit to your Checking and Savings account or in which you have not paid the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this interest rate reduction offer for unenrolled participants at any time without notice. You are not required to enroll in Eligible Direct Deposit or to pay the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee to be eligible for Loan approval. See what qualifies as an Eligible Direct Deposit here: www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#slr-discount
Eligible Direct Deposit means regularly recurring deposit of regular income to an Automated Clearing House ("ACH") Network during a 30-Day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not generate payments that are detectable by our system. So qualifying direct deposits are those where the student loan refinance discount rate is applied automatically for each month where you have an Eligible Direct Deposit of at least $1,000 per 30-day Evaluation Period. Eligible Direct Deposit does not include transfers between accounts you own, refunds, rebates, reimbursements, stimulus payments, merchant refunds, or payments from person-to-person payment services (such as Venmo). To qualify for the 0.25% interest rate reduction, the direct deposit must be recurring and paid directly into a SoFi Checking or Savings account. For the avoidance of doubt, deposits made via check, cash, or mobile check deposit are not eligible. Direct Deposit eligibility is determined by SoFi's sole discretion. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the period starting on the "Start Date" and ending on the "End Date" set forth on the App Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APV Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking → Checking → APV or (ii) Banking → Checking → APV Details. If you do not qualify for the discount during the initial 30-Day Evaluation Period, your loan will not be eligible for a discount unless you re-qualify in a later 30-Day Evaluation Period. If you qualify during the 30-Day Evaluation Period, the discount will be applied on a going-forward basis only. SoFi Bank determines eligibility. If you have a joint account, each account holder receives Eligible Direct Deposits into your SoFi Checking and Savings account, then you will be eligible for all SoFi Plus benefits, including on accounts you hold in your own name. Federal Loan Disclosure: Terms and conditions apply. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are private loans. When you refinance federal loans with a SoFi loan, YOU FORFEIT YOUR ELiIGIBILITY FOR ALL FEDERAL LOAN BENEFITS, including all flexible federal repayment and forgiveness options that are or may become available to federal student loan borrowers including, but not limited to: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, extended repayment plans, PAYE or SAVE. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Learn more at SoFi.com/eligiblity. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).
Who's this for? SoFi borrowers can earn rewards to pay down their MBA loan, book travel, attend networking events, speak with financial advisors or enjoy other benefits.
Standout benefits: There's no maximum limit for student loans and borrowers can enjoy member benefits like exclusive rate discounts,
Best for rate discount: Citizens Bank
- No co-signer required
- International students can qualify with a U.S. co-signer
- 0.50% rate discount for autopay from a Citizens account
- Offers student loan refinancing
- Multi-year approval lets you apply once and then just have a soft credit inquiry when they need funds in the following semesters
- Co-signers can't be released until after 36 payments.
- Banking services not available in every state
Who's this for? In addition to the typical 0.25% interest rate discount for setting up autopay, Citizens Bank offers another 0.25% reduction for having a qualifying Citizens account.
Standout benefits: Citizens offers multi-year approval loans, so you can apply once and only have to undergo a soft credit inquiry in subsequent semesters.
Best for applying without a co-signer: Ascent
- Considers borrowers with no credit
- High loan limit
- Co-signer release available after just 12 payments
- Up to 1% interest rate discount for autopay*
- 1% cash back rewards*
- Considers alternative requirements like the borrower’s school, program, graduation date, major, GPA, cost of attendance and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to grant approval
- Maximum fixed APR is on the high side
- Doesn't offer student loan refinancing
Disclosure: *Ascent Funding, LLC products are made available through Bank of Lake Mills or DR Bank, each Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. Loan products may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations, terms and conditions may apply for Ascent's Terms and Conditions please visit AscentFunding.com/Ts&Cs. Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed above are effective as of 7/15/2026 and reflect an Automatic Payment Discount (ACH). The ACH discount consists of 0.25% on credit-based college student loans submitted prior to 6/1/2025, a 0.5% discount for on credit-based college student loans submitted on or after 6/1/2025 and a 1.00% discount on outcomes-based loans when you enroll in automatic payments. Loans subject to individual approval, restrictions and conditions apply. Loan features and information advertised are intended for college student loans and are subject to change at any time. For more information, see repayment examples or review the Ascent Student Loans Terms and Conditions. The final amount approved depends on the borrower's credit history, verifiable cost of attendance as certified by an eligible school and is subject to credit approval and verification of application information. Lowest interest rates require full principal and interest (Immediate) payments, the shortest loan term, a cosigner, and are only available for our most creditworthy applicants and cosigners with the highest average credit scores. Actual APR offered may be higher or lower than the examples above, based on the amount of time you spend in school and any grace period you have before repayment begins. Variable rates may increase after consummation.1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. For details on Ascent borrower benefits, visit AscentFunding.com/BorrowerBenefits. Ascent applicants and borrowers that agree to the AscentUP Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, as well as students associated with an Ascent parent loan application, have access to the AscentUP platform.
Who's this for? Ascent has lower rates for borrowers without a co-signer and considers applicants who don't meet the credit or income requirements. It considers the school, estimated graduation date, GPA, future income potential and other factors.
Standout benefits: Ascent offers borrowers 1% cashback of the principal balance at graduation.
Compare student loan refinancing rates
How to apply for an MBA student loan
Your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will indicate how much you qualify for in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, which aren't credit-based and have borrower protections that private loans don't.
FAFSA will also indicate your eligibility for grants, work-study programs, and scholarships. If you're working, see if your employer offers tuition reimbursement or other programs to help pay for business school.
If you still need more funding, private loans necessitate a credit check and may require a co-signer if you have poor credit or are a non-citizen.
To choose an MBA student loan, compare the rates offered, as well as funding limits and loan terms. You'll also want to see if credit score and income requirements are publicly available and if you meet them.
How to find the right private MBA loan
There are many private MBA loan options out there.
1. Determine your borrowing needs. Calculate your total cost of attendance (minus federal loans, scholarships, grants, employer tuition assistance, and savings) to know the real amount you need to borrow.
2. Compare multiple lenders. Don't rely on a single lender's offer. Compare:
- Fixed vs. variable interest rates,
- APR (Annual Percentage Rate), which reflects the total borrowing cost
- Applicable fees
- Repayment terms (typically 5–20 years)
- Cosigner release options
- Grace periods and any options for deferment or forbearance
3. Check eligibility requirements.
- What credit score, income and debt-to-income ratio a lender is looking for
- Whether your MBA program or school is approved
- Whether you need to have a creditworthy cosigner
4. Get prequalified. Many lenders offer prequalification with a soft credit check, allowing you to compare estimated rates without affecting your credit score.
5. Read the loan agreement carefully. Before accepting a loan offer, you should know when interest starts accruing, whether unpaid interest is capitalized and your monthly payment estimate, another other information.
MBA loans FAQs
Can I get a student loan for an MBA?
Yes, you can use student loans to pay for an MBA program. Start by looking into federal student loans issued by the U.S. Department of Education — for graduate students, the only option is the Direct Unsubsidized Loan. If you still need more financing, consider a private lender.
Is it worth taking out an MBA loan?
While student loans for an MBA program can represent a significant financial burden, it can be worth it if a business degree will advance your career and raise your earning potential.
A common rule of thumb is to limit your student loan debt to your expected starting salary after graduation.
How much can I borrow to pay for business school?
Federal graduate student loans have an annual cap of $20,500 per student and a lifetime limit of $100,000. Select professional degrees have higher limits: $50,000 per year per student and a $200,000 lifetime limit.
The limits on private student loans vary by lender, though many cap financing at the cost of attendance.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every student loan review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of student loan products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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Our methodology
To determine the best MBA student loans, CNBC Select compared private student loan funding from more than 20 banks, credit unions and online lenders. We narrowed our ranking to those that offer competitive fixed and variable rates.
We also compared lenders on the following features:
- Loan amounts: The lenders on our list offer private student loans in a range of sizes, up to the cost of attendance.
- Credit requirements: When available, we took lenders' minimum credit and income requirements into account. We also considered whether or not borrowers could apply with a co-signer and how soon they could be released.
- Loan terms: Lenders with diverse loan terms were given more weight, as were those with generous grace periods.
- Repayment options: All the lenders listed here provide a variety of financing options, have generous grace periods and allow borrowers to start repaying their loans while still in school.
- Fees: None of the companies on our list charge an origination fee or early payoff penalties:
- Application process: Lenders with fast online applications were given more weight.
- Discounts: All the lenders on our list offer an autopay interest rate discount. We noted if lenders offer an additional discount to borrowers with qualifying checking or savings accounts.
- Hardship protections: Lenders were weighed more heavily if they offered borrower protections, such as deferment, forbearance and income-based repayment plans.
- Customer support: Every company on our list provides customer service via telephone, email, and web chat, and has an online resource hub that educates borrowers about student loans.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Based on this criteria, our selections for best MBA student loans are:
- Best for loan terms: College Ave®
- Best from a brick-and-mortar bank: Citizens Bank
- Best for part-time students: Sallie Mae®
- Best for applying without a co-signer: Ascent
- Best for refinancing student loans: SoFi®
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* Fixed rates range from 3.99% APR to 9.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount and 0.125% SoFi Plus discount. Variable rates range from 5.74% APR to 9.99% APR with 0.25% autopay discount and 0.125% SoFi Plus discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates will never exceed 13.95% (the maximum rate for these loans). SoFi rate ranges are current as of 5/6/26 and are subject to change at any time. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer and a variety of other factors. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term. Medical/Dental Loan Disclaimer: Fixed rates range from 4.12% APR to 9.99% APR with a 0.125% discount for Doctors and Dentist, and a 0.25% autopay discount and 0.125% SoFi Plus Discount. Variable rates range from 5.87% - 9.99% APR with a 0.125% discount for Doctors and Dentist, and a 0.25% autopay discount and 0.125% SoFi Plus Discount. Unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law, Variable Interest rates will never exceed 13.95% (the maximum rate for these loans). SoFi rate ranges are current as of 4/1/26 and are subject to change at any time. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on the term you select, evaluation of your creditworthiness, income, presence of a co-signer and a variety of other factors. These specialized rates are offered to applicants who are physicians or dentists with the following degrees: Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Optometry (OD), Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD), Physician Assistant (MPA), Physical Therapy (MTP or DPT). Not available to residents, fellows, or students. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. For the SoFi variable-rate product, the variable interest rate for a given month is derived by adding a margin to the 30-day average SOFR index, published two business days preceding such calendar month, rounded up to the nearest one hundredth of one percent (0.01% or 0.0001). APRs for variable-rate loans may increase after origination if the SOFR index increases. You may pay more interest over the life of the loan if you refinance with an extended term. Autopay Discount: The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly payments as outlined in your loan agreement by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. This benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. When the autopay interest rate deduction is added or removed, the next time the loan is re-amortized (quarterly for fixed rate loans; monthly for variable rate loans),the principal balance of your loan will be spread over the remaining loan term, and your monthly payment amount will change. This benefit is suspended during periods of deferment, grace period, or forbearance. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi. Member Rate Discount: To be eligible for an additional 0.125% interest rate reduction on a Student Loan Refinancing, you must, within 31 days of loan funding, either (1) be a SoFi Plus subscriber, (2) receive an Eligible Direct Deposit into a SoFi Checking or Savings account, or (3) receive at least $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits into a SoFi Checking or Savings account. You must continue to meet at least one of the above eligibility criteria every 31 days to maintain the discount. See the SoFi Plus terms for details on SoFi Plus subscription. For more details on Eligible Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, please see https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet. Once you become eligible during the initial period, the discount will be removed or reinstated depending on whether the criteria have been met. Each time your loan is re-amortized, your monthly payment amount will change based upon the interest rate that was in place. SoFi reserves the right to modify or terminate this offer at any time for unenrolled participants. You are not required to meet these criteria to be approved for a loan. SoFi Plus Discount: To be eligible to receive an additional (0.125%) interest rate reduction on your Student Loan Refinancing (your "Loan") for enrolling in SoFi Plus, you must enroll in SoFi Plus within 30 days of Loan funding, either by receiving an Eligible Direct Deposit to your SoFi Checking and Savings account, or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. Once eligible, you will receive this discount during periods in which you have received Eligible Direct Deposit to your SoFi Checking and Savings Account, or during periods in which SoFi successfully receives payment of the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. This discount lowers your interest rate but does not change the amount of your regular monthly payment. This discount will be removed during periods in which SoFi determines you have turned off Eligible Direct Deposit to your Checking and Savings account or in which you have not paid the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. SoFi reserves the right to change or terminate this interest rate reduction offer for unenrolled participants at any time without notice. You are not required to enroll in Eligible Direct Deposit or to pay the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee to be eligible for Loan approval. See what qualifies as an Eligible Direct Deposit here: www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#slr-discount
Eligible Direct Deposit means regularly recurring deposit of regular income to an Automated Clearing House ("ACH") Network during a 30-Day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not generate payments that are detectable by our system. So qualifying direct deposits are those where the student loan refinance discount rate is applied automatically for each month where you have an Eligible Direct Deposit of at least $1,000 per 30-day Evaluation Period. Eligible Direct Deposit does not include transfers between accounts you own, refunds, rebates, reimbursements, stimulus payments, merchant refunds, or payments from person-to-person payment services (such as Venmo). To qualify for the 0.25% interest rate reduction, the direct deposit must be recurring and paid directly into a SoFi Checking or Savings account. For the avoidance of doubt, deposits made via check, cash, or mobile check deposit are not eligible. Direct Deposit eligibility is determined by SoFi's sole discretion. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the period starting on the "Start Date" and ending on the "End Date" set forth on the App Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the "30-Day Evaluation Period"). You can access the APV Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking → Checking → APV or (ii) Banking → Checking → APV Details. If you do not qualify for the discount during the initial 30-Day Evaluation Period, your loan will not be eligible for a discount unless you re-qualify in a later 30-Day Evaluation Period. If you qualify during the 30-Day Evaluation Period, the discount will be applied on a going-forward basis only. SoFi Bank determines eligibility. If you have a joint account, each account holder receives Eligible Direct Deposits into your SoFi Checking and Savings account, then you will be eligible for all SoFi Plus benefits, including on accounts you hold in your own name. Federal Loan Disclosure: Terms and conditions apply. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are private loans. When you refinance federal loans with a SoFi loan, YOU FORFEIT YOUR ELiIGIBILITY FOR ALL FEDERAL LOAN BENEFITS, including all flexible federal repayment and forgiveness options that are or may become available to federal student loan borrowers including, but not limited to: Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Income-Based Repayment, Income-Contingent Repayment, extended repayment plans, PAYE or SAVE. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Learn more at SoFi.com/eligiblity. SoFi Refinance Student Loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. NMLS #696891 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org).
