Is 720 a good credit score?
A 720 credit score on the common credit scoring range of 300-850 is right at the border of “good” and “excellent.” In fact, when your score hits 720, you've just crossed over into the excellent score band. That's great news, unless your score was higher and you're worried about what a loss of points might mean.
A 720 credit score is a good credit score. The good-credit range includes scores of 700 to 749, while an excellent credit score is 750 to 850, and people with scores this high are in a good position to qualify for the best possible mortgages, auto loans and credit cards, among other things.
Lenders typically seek a FICO score of 700–720, though some may consider scores as low as 680. These loans often necessitate a 10–20% down payment, incorporating home equity as a key part of the borrowing strategy.
According to the latest credit score statistics, the average FICO score is 716, so a 720 is slightly above average. 67% of Americans have a score in this range or higher based on data from Experian®.
Absolutely. Your 720 credit score will qualify you for an auto loan, assuming your income justifies it. However, it's important to realize that your credit score can make a big difference in the interest rate you get. And this is especially true in auto lending.
You can borrow $50,000 - $100,000+ with a 720 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.
What Percentage of the Population Has a Credit Score Over 700? The same data referenced above also reveals the percentage of the population with a score of over 700. According to FICO.com, approximately 59.2 percent of the U.S. population has a credit score range between 700 to 850.
The required credit score for a $350K loan will vary by loan type and lender. No matter what, though, you can expect a better interest rate the better your credit score. Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 to grant approval for a conventional loan.
| Average FICO 8 Score by Generation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Generation | 2022 | 2023 |
| Generation Z (ages 18-26) | 679 - Good | 680 - Good |
| Millennials (27-42) | 687 - Good | 690 - Good |
| Generation X (43-58) | 707 - Good | 709 - Good |
Conventional mortgages
Require a minimum down payment of 3% of the home's sale price. Tend to have much lower mortgage rates than most. Require no upfront mortgage insurance for down payments of at least 20% Have no set minimum credit score but most lenders will probably be looking for 620+
What is the average US credit score?
The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.
If you're working toward a 720 credit score, you may wonder how long it will take to reach your goal. Unfortunately, there's no easy answer to that question. Everyone's credit improvement timeline is different. Reaching 720 could take weeks, months, or even years, depending on your credit score starting point.
So, given the fact that the average credit score for people in their 20s is 630 and a “good” credit score is typically around 700, it's safe to say a good credit score in your 20s is in the high 600s or low 700s.
A perfect FICO credit score is 850, but experts tell CNBC Select you don't need to hit that target to qualify for the best credit cards, loans or interest rates.
Credit score: You might need a credit score of at least 740 to be considered for a 0% APR loan. The minimum credit score depends on the dealership and the car you're interested in purchasing.
| Credit score | Average loan interest rate |
|---|---|
| 720–850 | 10.73%-12.50% |
| 690–719 | 13.50%-15.50% |
| 630–689 | 17.80%-19.90% |
| 300–629 | 28.50%-32.00% |
A FICO® Score of 720 provides access to a broad array of loans and credit card products, but increasing your score can increase your odds of approval for an even greater number, at more affordable lending terms.
The monthly payment on a $20,000 loan ranges from $273 to $2,009, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $20,000 loan for one year with an APR of 36%, your monthly payment will be $2,009.
Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2022, the average FICO® Score☉ in the U.S. reached 714. Achieving a good credit score can help you qualify for a credit card or loan with a lower interest rate and better terms.
Generally speaking, you'll likely need a score of at least 620 — what's classified as a “fair” rating — to qualify with most lenders. With a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan, though, you might be able to get approved with a score as low as 500.
What is considered a bad credit score?
What is a bad FICO credit score? A bad FICO credit score may fall in the fair or poor FICO range. FICO considers a credit score to be fair if it's between 580 and 669, and poor if it's below 580. According to FICO, borrowers with a FICO score in a lower range tend to be viewed as a credit risk.
On a salary of $45,000 per year, you can afford a house priced at around $120,000 with a monthly payment of $1,050 for a conventional home loan — that is, if you have no debt and can make a down payment. This number assumes a 6% interest rate.
Most used auto loans go to borrowers with minimum credit scores of at least 675. For new auto loans, most borrowers have scores of around 730. The minimum credit score needed for a new car may be around 600, but those with excellent credit often get lower rates and lower monthly payments.
A target credit score of 661 or above should get you a new-car loan with an annual percentage rate of around 7.01% or better, or a used-car loan around 9.73% or lower. Superprime: 781-850.
Lenders like to see a mix of both installment loans and revolving credit on your credit portfolio. So if you pay off a car loan and don't have any other installment loans, you might actually see that your credit score dropped because you now have only revolving debt.
