How to Get a $30,000 Personal Loan for Any Credit Score

Obtaining a sizable personal loan of $30,000 can be a daunting task, especially if you have a less-than-perfect credit score. However, with the right lender and some preparation, securing a $30,000 personal loan is achievable, regardless of your credit situation. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the steps to find the best $30,000 personal loan options, the requirements you’ll need to meet, and how to maximize your chances of approval.

Key Takeaways

You can get a $30,000 personal loan from various lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders.
Eligibility requirements vary among lenders, but for a loan of this size, you’ll likely need a good credit score and a high enough income to qualify for the best rates.
Prequalifying with multiple lenders is crucial to finding the best offer, allowing you to see the available terms and interest rates without impacting your credit score.

While larger loans can be harder to find, personal loan lenders offering $30,000 loans are becoming more common. A wide variety of lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders, now provide $30,000 personal loans to qualified borrowers.

Lenders That Offer $30,000 Personal Loans

Different lenders may have better rates or terms, or they may cater better to certain credit score ranges. For instance, banks tend to have stricter requirements than credit unions and online lenders. Online lenders, on the other hand, are often more lenient, but if your credit needs work, your loan may come with higher rates and fees. Those with excellent credit, however, could receive a low rate.

Here are some options to consider when shopping for a $30,000 personal loan:

Lender	APR	Loan Amount	Minimum Credit Score
LightStream	6.99%-25.29% (with autopay)	$5,000–$100,000	695
Upgrade	7.99%-35.99%	$1,000–$50,000	580
SoFi	8.99%-29.49%	$5,000–$100,000	No requirement
Upstart	6.70%-35.99%	$1,000–$50,000	No requirement

Best Personal Loans of 2025

Explore Bankrate’s top picks for the best personal loans to find the right lender for you.

LightStream

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Learn more in our Bankrate review

Bankrate’s view: LightStream, an online lender, has some of the best rates in the industry. The lender is best suited for those with excellent credit and strong financials. LightStream loans can be used for practically any purpose, and borrowers can receive the funds as soon as the same day they apply. This lender is also one of the few that doesn’t charge any fees, making its loans cost less than most.

Pros:

Low rates with Rate Beat program
No fees
Same-day funding

Cons:

No prequalification
Good credit required
Long credit history needed

Upgrade

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5

Learn more in our Bankrate review

Bankrate’s view: If your credit isn’t in mint condition, it may be easier to qualify for a $30,000 personal loan with Upgrade. It has a lower minimum credit score requirement of just 580, but even more notably, it offers joint and secured loans. This could make it easier for borrowers with imperfect credit to secure a large loan with a competitive rate.

However, you’ll pay an origination fee of up to 9.99 percent, and you can expect rates as high as 35.99 percent if you have a low credit score.

Pros:

Available to borrowers with bad credit
Joint loans available
Option for direct payment to creditors

Cons:

High maximum APR
High origination fee

SoFi

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5

Learn more in our Bankrate review

Bankrate’s view: SoFi offers $30,000 personal loans with repayment terms of up to seven years. It has competitive interest rates with zero mandatory fees — but to qualify for its lowest rate, you may need to agree to an optional origination fee of up to 7 percent. Borrowers can get the funds as soon as the same day they’re approved, so SoFi may be a good choice in a crunch.

Pros:

Same-day funding
Co-borrower option
No required fees

Cons:

Must borrow at least $5,000
Not available in all states

Upstart

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5

Learn more in our Bankrate review

Bankrate’s view: If you have a low credit score, Upstart is an online lender that may still be able to offer you a competitive personal loan rate. Upstart uses alternative data such as education and employment history to make lending decisions, which can help those with less-than-perfect credit scores.

Pros:

No prequalification
No required fees
Largest loan size ($50k)

Cons:

No co-borrower option
High maximum APR

What Are the Requirements to Get a $30,000 Personal Loan?

Before you can start shopping for lenders and offers, make sure you meet all of the requirements needed to qualify for a personal loan.

Age: Borrowers must be at least 18 years old.
Citizenship: Lenders require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status.
Income: You need a minimum monthly income of $1,000 to qualify for most personal loans.
Employment: Most lenders require that you’ve been employed for at least six months and have a stable job history. Self-employed borrowers must provide financial documentation (e.g., tax returns).

Evaluate Your Credit Score

Credit scores are the most critical factor in determining your loan eligibility and interest rate. Check your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com to ensure there aren’t any mistakes that could hurt you later.

Gather Financial Documentation

Having all of the required financial documents ready can help streamline your loan application process and improve your chances of getting approved. Here’s what lenders will ask for:

Pay stubs or W-2 forms (recent)
Tax returns (last two years)
Bank statements

Prequalify With Multiple Lenders

Before applying for a loan, get prequalified with several lenders. This lets you compare offers and interest rates without impacting your credit score.

How to Apply for a $30,000 Personal Loan

Once you’ve chosen a lender and confirmed eligibility, here are the steps to follow:

Submit an online application: This typically includes providing your personal information, employment details, and financial documentation.
Wait for approval: The process can take from one day up to a week. If you’re preapproved or have good credit, you may get instant approval.
Review loan terms: Pay attention to the APR and fees before signing your agreement.
Accept your offer: Sign the agreement online or at a branch. If approved, funds will be sent directly into your bank account in one to three days.

Product Table with Dosages and Prices (in USD)

Lender	Loan Amount	Annual Percentage Rate (APR)	Fees
LightStream	$5,000 – $100,000	6.99% – 25.29%	No fees
Upgrade	$1,000 – $50,000	7.99% – 35.99%	Up to 8%
SoFi	$5,000 – $100,000	8.99% – 29.49%	No fees
Upstart	$1,000 – $50,000	6.70% – 35.99%	No fees

Conclusion

Securing a $30,000 personal loan requires thorough research and preparation to ensure you find the best deal for your financial situation. By understanding your eligibility requirements, comparing lenders, and following the application process carefully, you can increase your chances of obtaining a favorable loan agreement.

Key Takeaways

A $30,000 personal loan is available from various lenders but requires careful selection based on credit score.
Prequalification with multiple lenders helps find the best offer and avoids impacting your credit score.
Prepare all necessary documentation before applying for a personal loan to streamline the process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a good interest rate for a $30,000 personal loan? A good APR for a $30,000 loan ranges from 5.99% to 19%. This can vary based on your credit score.
How long does it take to get approved for a $30,000 personal loan? Approval times range from one day up to one week. With good credit and preapproval, you may receive instant approval.