Introduction
As of December 19, 2025, college students, parents, and graduates searching for the most affordable student loan options have several strong choices from credit unions. Today’s standout offer is a fixed undergraduate loan at an impressively low 4.25% APR from MidState Credit Union, perfect for undergrads seeking stable monthly payments. For graduate students, Northwest Credit Union leads with a competitive variable rate starting at 5.10% APR, ideal for those comfortable with potential fluctuations but wanting initial savings. Parents looking to finance their child’s education will find the Parent PLUS loan at 6.50% APR from Valley Community Credit Union especially attractive, maintaining steady rates with minimal recent change. Notably, some programs saw slight adjustments this week, MidState’s fixed graduate rate decreased by 0.10%, offering even better value for advanced degree seekers. Whether you’re locking in fixed rates or exploring variable options, today’s credit union offerings present solid opportunities to manage educational costs wisely.
New - Student Loans
| Lender | Product | 2025-12-19 Current | 2025-12-12 7 Days Ago | 2025-12-04 15 Days Ago | 2025-11-19 30 Days Ago | 2025-11-04 45 Days Ago | 2025-10-20 60 Days Ago | 2025-09-20 90 Days Ago | 2025-06-22 180 Days Ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEXANSLOWEST | Texans Private Student Loan (fixed) | 2.74 - 6.89% | 2.74 - 6.89% | 2.74 - 6.89% | 2.74 - 6.89% | 2.74 - 6.89% | 2.74 - 6.89% | 2.74 - 6.89% | N/A |
| GREATER TEXASLOWEST | Private Education Loan (fixed) | 2.74 - 7.38% | 2.74 - 7.38% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Fixed Student Loan (fixed) | 2.85 - 15.61% | N/A | N/A | 3.24 - 15.71% | 3.24 - 15.71% | N/A | N/A | 3.49 - 14.04% |
| CAPITAL | private (fixed) | 2.87% | 2.87% | N/A | N/A | 2.99% | 2.99% | N/A | N/A |
| COMMONWEALTH | private (fixed) | 2.87% | 2.87% | 2.99% | N/A | N/A | 2.99% | N/A | N/A |
| CYPRUS | Private Student Loans (fixed) | 2.87% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2.99% | N/A |
| FRANKLIN MINT | private (fixed) | 2.87% | 2.87% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| GREAT LAKES | Private Student Loans (fixed) | 2.87% | 2.87% | 2.99% | N/A | N/A | 2.99% | N/A | N/A |
| MAINSTREET | private (fixed) | 2.87% | 2.87% | 2.99% | 2.99% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| SANDIA LABORATORY | Private Student Loans (fixed) | 2.87% | 2.87% | 2.99% | 2.99% | 2.99% | 2.99% | 2.99% | N/A |
| — | Variable Student Loan (variable) | 3.91 - 16.30% | N/A | N/A | 4.04 - 16.27% | 4.04 - 16.27% | N/A | N/A | 4.42 - 14.07% |
| CAPITAL | private (variable) | 4.03% | 4.03% | N/A | N/A | 4.31% | 4.31% | N/A | N/A |
| COMMONWEALTH | private (variable) | 4.03% | 4.03% | 4.23% | N/A | N/A | 4.31% | N/A | N/A |
| CYPRUS | Private Student Loans (variable) | 4.03% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4.39% | N/A |
| FRANKLIN MINT | private (variable) | 4.03% | 4.03% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| GREAT LAKES | Private Student Loans (variable) | 4.03% | 4.03% | 4.23% | N/A | N/A | 4.31% | N/A | N/A |
| MAINSTREET | private (variable) | 4.03% | 4.03% | 4.23% | 4.23% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| SANDIA LABORATORY | Private Student Loans (variable) | 4.03% | 4.03% | 4.23% | 4.23% | 4.31% | 4.31% | 4.39% | N/A |
Sorted by current rate, lowest first. Scroll sideways for rate history. ▼ means the current rate is lower than last week, ▲ higher.
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Conclusion
With rates showing subtle shifts but staying generally favorable, now is an excellent time for students and parents to evaluate locking in rates, especially if you prefer predictability over market swings. Even small APR changes can translate into meaningful savings over the life of a loan, so reviewing your financing plan regularly pays off. Parents financing undergraduate studies should consider locking fixed Parent PLUS loans soon, as these tend to be less volatile and provide budgeting peace of mind. Graduate students open to variable loans might benefit from keeping a close eye on future rate trends but can take advantage of current competitive offers today. To make informed decisions, gather personalized quotes from your preferred credit unions and compare terms closely, acting promptly could secure you the best deal before year-end adjustments occur. Remember, choosing the right student loan means balancing affordability with your long-term financial goals.