30-yr fixed 6.43% ▾ 0.06 wk
15-yr fixed 5.79% ▾ 0.04 wk
HELOC avg 7.90% — no change
Auto 60-mo new 6.82% ▴ +0.03 mo
Personal 24-mo 11.57% ▾ 0.12 qtr
Credit card APR 21.52% ▴ +0.09 qtr
as of Jul 2, 2026 · Federal Reserve / Freddie Mac via FRED (St. Louis Fed)
Marketplace · Independent review

Upstart: an honest look at the rates and the fine print

Upstart uses an AI model that weighs education and employment alongside credit, so it approves thinner files than most — a genuine option for fair-credit borrowers. That access comes at a price: origination fees reach 12% and top-end APRs approach the legal ceiling, so compare the total cost carefully.

By Daniel Reeves · Reviewed by M. Okafor, CFP Updated July 2, 2026

Upstart

Personal loans · Marketplace · NMLS #1503946 · Founded 2012

3.9/5
  • Personal loan APR7.80–35.99%
  • Loan amounts$1,000–$50,000
  • Terms36 or 60 months
  • Origination fee0–12%
  • Min credit score300 / none
  • Funding timeNext business day

Independent profile. Loans Advisor is not affiliated with, or compensated by, this lender.

Where Upstart fits

Strengths

  • Approves thin / fair credit
  • Fast decisions and funding
  • Small minimum loan amount

Watch-outs

  • Origination fees up to 12%
  • Only two term lengths
  • High APRs for lower scores

Best for

Based on its rates and products, Upstart is most relevant if you're looking at:

Figures are researched from public rate sheets and regulatory filings and change often — verify current terms with Upstart before applying. Loans Advisor is not affiliated with, or paid by, Upstart, and earns no referral fee from this profile.