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Back-to-school 2026

Give your kids a great school year — without the credit card hangover

New clothes, fresh supplies, maybe a new laptop. You want your kid walking in ready for the year. A personal loan can spread those costs into fixed monthly payments — so one big season doesn't turn into a balance that follows you into the next one.

Compare personal loan options
Happy kids ready for the new school year

What back-to-school really costs

Families with K-12 students plan to spend an average of about $864 this year, according to the National Retail Federation. For many parents, that is a real strain in a single month.

  • $864 Average back-to-school spend per K-12 family this year
  • $250 Typical spend on clothing and accessories
  • $146 Typical spend on school supplies

A steadier way to pay than a credit card balance

  • Fixed, predictable payments

    A personal loan comes with a set rate and a set payoff date, so you know exactly what you owe and when the cost is behind you.

  • No balance that lingers

    Put a big back-to-school haul on a credit card and a high revolving rate can keep it growing for months. A loan gives you a clear finish line.

  • One simple plan

    Cover clothes, supplies and tech with a single loan and one monthly payment — instead of juggling minimums across cards.

Compare personal loan options

Rates and terms below update automatically from NerdWallet's personal loans marketplace.

  • Earnest Personal Loan

    ★ 4.7/5
    Best for borrowers with good or excellent credit
    Est. APR
    6.49-29.99%
    Loan amount
    $3,000-$50,000
    Term
    2 to 7 years
    Min. credit score
    680
    Time to fund
    1 day
    See details

  • Upgrade

    ★ 4.6/5
    Best for borrowers with fair credit
    Est. APR
    7.74-35.99%
    Loan amount
    $1,000-$75,000
    Term
    2 to 7 years
    Min. credit score
    600
    Time to fund
    1 day
    See details

  • SoFi Personal Loan

    ★ 4.6/5
    Best for large loan amounts
    Est. APR
    6.99-35.49%
    Loan amount
    $5,000-$100,000
    Term
    2 to 7 years
    Min. credit score
    None
    Time to fund
    Same day
    See details

  • Discover® Personal Loans

    ★ 4.8/5
    Best for low rates and no fees
    Est. APR
    6.99-24.99%
    Loan amount
    $2,500-$40,000
    Term
    3 to 7 years
    Min. credit score
    660
    Time to fund
    Next business day
    See details

  • Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub)

    ★ 4.5/5
    Best for debt consolidation loans
    Est. APR
    5.96-35.99%
    Loan amount
    $1,000-$75,000
    Term
    2 to 7 years
    Min. credit score
    600
    Time to fund
    Next day
    See details

  • Patelco Credit Union Personal Loan

    ★ 4.5/5
    Best for wide range of amounts and terms
    Est. APR
    6.99-17.90%
    Loan amount
    $300-$100,000
    Term
    6 months to 7 years
    Min. credit score
    630
    Time to fund
    2-3 days
    See details

  • Upstart

    ★ 4.4/5
    Best for borrowers with bad credit or short credit histories
    Est. APR
    6.20-35.99%
    Loan amount
    $1,000-$75,000
    Term
    3 to 7 years
    Min. credit score
    None
    Time to fund
    1 day
    See details

  • Rocket Loans

    ★ 4.4/5
    Est. APR
    7.99-29.99%
    Loan amount
    $2,000-$75,000
    Term
    3 to 5 years
    Min. credit score
    640
    Time to fund
    Same day
    See details
See all personal loan options

Rates, terms and approval depend on your creditworthiness and each lender's criteria and are subject to change. A personal loan may not be the right choice for everyone; consider the total cost of borrowing before you apply. NerdWallet is not a lender. NerdWallet may be compensated when you are approved for or use a partner's product, which may affect where and how offers appear. NerdWallet maintains editorial independence; advertisers do not influence our ratings or recommendations. Back-to-school spending figures: National Retail Federation.