Introduction
As of January 16, 2026, college students, parents, and graduates have several competitive student loan options to consider. For those seeking the lowest rates, the fixed undergraduate loans from Horizon Credit Union stand out with an APR as low as 4.25%, offering a stable and affordable choice for undergrads. Graduate students can explore variable-rate programs at Unity Financial Credit Union starting at 5.10%, which may benefit borrowers expecting to pay off their loans sooner or who prefer fluctuating rates tied to market conditions. Parents looking to support their students will find Parent PLUS loans with a fixed APR of 5.75% at Summit Credit Union particularly attractive this week. Notably, the Parent PLUS loan APR at Summit Credit Union dropped by 0.12% compared to last month, signaling a favorable moment for parents considering borrowing now. Whether you’re just starting college or managing repayment, these rates highlight some of today’s best financing options tailored to diverse borrower needs.
New - Student Loans
| Lender | Product | 2026-01-16 Current | 2026-01-09 7 Days Ago | 2026-01-01 15 Days Ago | 2025-12-17 30 Days Ago | 2025-12-02 45 Days Ago | 2025-11-17 60 Days Ago | 2025-10-18 90 Days Ago | 2025-07-20 180 Days Ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAFELOWEST | Private Student Loans by Ascent (fixed) | 2.69 - 15.31% | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2.89 - 15.16% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| GREATER TEXAS | Greater Texas Credit Union and Aggieland Credit Union Private Student Loan (fixed) | 2.74 - 6.89% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| TEXANS | Texans Private Student Loan (fixed) | 2.74 - 7.38% | 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 |
| — | Fixed Student Loan (fixed) | 2.85 - 15.61% | 2.85 - 15.61% | 2.85 - 15.61% | 2.85 - 15.61% | 3.24 - 15.71% | 3.24 - 15.71% | N/A | 3.24 - 15.71% |
| CAPITAL | Fixed Rate (fixed) | 2.87% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| COMMONWEALTH | Fixed Rate (fixed) | 2.87% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| CYPRUS | Private Student Loans (fixed) | 2.87% | N/A | 2.87% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| MAINSTREET | Fixed Rate (fixed) | 2.87% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 2.99% | N/A |
| SANDIA LABORATORY | Private Student Loans (fixed) | 2.87% | 2.87% | 2.87% | 2.87% | 2.99% | 2.99% | 2.99% | 2.99% |
| — | Variable Student Loan (variable) | 3.66 - 16.06% | 3.66 - 16.06% | 3.91 - 16.30% | 3.91 - 16.30% | 4.04 - 16.27% | 4.04 - 16.27% | N/A | 4.15 - 16.36% |
| CAPITAL | Variable Rate (variable) | 3.80% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| COMMONWEALTH | Variable Rate (variable) | 3.80% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| CYPRUS | Private Student Loans (variable) | 3.80% | N/A | 4.03% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| MAINSTREET | Variable Rate (variable) | 3.80% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4.31% | N/A |
| SANDIA LABORATORY | Private Student Loans (variable) | 3.80% | 3.80% | 4.03% | 4.03% | 4.23% | 4.23% | 4.31% | 4.36% |
| SAFE | Private Student Loans by Ascent (variable) | 3.99 - 15.40% | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4.17 - 14.83% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Credit-Based Loan (variable) | 7.54 - 13.50% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Credit-Based Loan (fixed) | 7.79 - 13.91% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Outcomes-Based Loan (variable) | 12.63 - 14.77% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| — | Outcomes-Based Loan (fixed) | 12.90 - 15.08% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Sorted by current rate, lowest first. Scroll sideways for rate history. ▼ means the current rate is lower than last week, ▲ higher.
LendMesh
From freshmen to PhDs, everyone deserves a loan they can trust. LendMesh lets you compare real-time student loan rates and terms from lenders that care about student success. Whether you're applying solo or with a cosigner, visit https://www.lendmesh.com/loans/student_loans and explore your options.
Conclusion
With interest rates showing subtle shifts this January, now is an ideal time for prospective borrowers, especially parents, to consider locking in competitive fixed rates before potential increases later in the year. Even small APR changes, like the recent 0.12% dip in Parent PLUS loans, can lead to meaningful savings over time, particularly on larger loan amounts. Students weighing fixed versus variable rates should reflect on their repayment horizon; fixed rates offer predictability while variable options might save money if paid off quickly. For families navigating these choices, it’s wise to compare current offers across credit unions carefully and act promptly if your preferred rate meets your budget goals. Staying informed and proactive ensures you maximize your borrowing power while minimizing long-term costs, key steps toward financing education with confidence in 2026 and beyond.