- Cover up to 100% of the costs1 of an MBA degree2
- Flexible repayment options including in-school deferment and interest-only payments
- Pursue your business education goals without stressing how to pay for your degree
Here's our current MBA student loan interest rates:
Variable rates
3.89%
to 15.99% APR
Fixed rates
2.59%
to 15.99% APR
(all rates shown include auto-pay discount)3
Should I Choose a Variable or Fixed Rate?
Earning an MBA can be a costly commitment that requires careful planning and consideration. Remember that an advanced degree costs more than just tuition. Costs include fees, materials, and adjustments for the cost of living where you decide to study. Start your research by deciding if you want a fixed or variable interest rate3 for your MBA loan.
Variable Rates
3.89%
to 15.99% APR
*all rates shown include auto-pay discount3
Variable interest rates are tied to a market index and will fluctuate - up or down - over time with the market. This will change your monthly payment amount.
Changes to the rate are typically based on a publicly available interest rate index such as the prime rate or SOFR.
Fixed Rate
2.59%
to 15.99% APR
*all rates shown include auto-pay discount3
Fixed interest rates stay the same for the entire repayment period. You will have the same monthly payment amount every month after entering full repayment.
How Does Our MBA Loan Compare?
| College Ave | Sallie Mae | Citizens Bank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Repayment Options |
4 |
3 | 3 |
| Select Your Own Repayment Term |
|
Limited | Limited |
| Apply in as Little as 3 Minutes |
|
|
|
| Grace Period | 9 months | 9 months | 6 months |
| No Application or Origination Fees |
|
|
|
*Comparisons based on information obtained on lenders’ websites as of January 28th, 2026.
Advanced Loans For MBA Degrees
You’re confident in where your MBA will take you; we’ll give you the assurance to pay for it. College Ave MBA Student Loans start with low rates and put you in charge of how quickly you repay the loan. And we’ll be with you every step of the way. Ready to get down to business?
Overwhelmed? Don't Be! Just Follow These Easy Steps
1
Evaluate your graduate school program length, timing, credit score and financial situation.
Understand your current financial standing, including your credit score and any existing debt. Consider how long you plan to be in graduate school and how much you can comfortably borrow. Graduate students can apply to cover their full program year, giving you confidence grad school is covered.
2
Weigh the importance of loan repayment terms, grace periods and deferment.
When deciding to go to graduate school, you will need to find a loan that fits your program. College Ave offers graduate loans structured for your degree, like deferment while in residency, clerkship or fellowship.
3
Compare interest rates from private lenders and evaluate originations fees.
Compare rates from lenders and be sure to consider any origination fees that may be associated with taking a loan. Taking the time to compare lenders side by side can help you feel confident you're choosing the best option for your financial goals, with fewer surprises down the road.
4
Take the Next Step in Your Career with College Ave
Ensure your graduate school is fully covered with a private student loan from College Ave. Once approved, we'll work directly with your school to certify the loan, making it an easy process and setting you up for success.
1
Evaluate your graduate school program length, timing, credit score and financial situation.
Understand your current financial standing, including your credit score and any existing debt. Consider how long you plan to be in graduate school and how much you can comfortably borrow. Graduate students can apply to cover their full program year, giving you confidence grad school is covered.
2
Weigh the importance of loan repayment terms, grace periods and deferment.
When deciding to go to graduate school, you will need to find a loan that fits your program. College Ave offers graduate loans structured for your degree, like deferment while in residency, clerkship or fellowship.
3
Compare interest rates from private lenders and evaluate originations fees.
Compare rates from lenders and be sure to consider any origination fees that may be associated with taking a loan. Taking the time to compare lenders side by side can help you feel confident you're choosing the best option for your financial goals, with fewer surprises down the road.
4
Take the Next Step in Your Career with College Ave
Ensure your graduate school is fully covered with a private student loan from College Ave. Once approved, we'll work directly with your school to certify the loan, making it an easy process and setting you up for success.
FAQ's for MBA Student Loans
-
How much can I borrow in student loans for my MBA program?
The answer is, "it depends". It depends on whether you're taking out a federal student loan or a private student loan for school.
As of July 1, 2026, new MBA students can take out up to $20,500 in Federal Direct unsubsidized loans each year they're in school with a lifetime/aggregate limit of $100,000.
Federal Direct PLUS loans for graduate school (also referred to as Grad PLUS loans) do not have an annual cap, you can borrow up to your cost of attendance each year. However, Grad PLUS loans are being eliminated from the federal student loan program as of July 1, 2026, with the passage of new legislation in July 2025 (also referred to as the "One Big Beautiful Bill").
If you're taking out a private MBA school student loan, the maximum amount you can borrow may depend on the lender. College Ave's MBA student loan allow you to borrow up to the total cost of attendance1 for your MBA program, minus any federal loans, grants, scholarships, and other aid you may have received.
-
Do I need a cosigner for an MBA student loan?
You can apply without a cosigner, but depending on your credit history you may not get approved. Applying for an MBA student loan with a cosigner may improve your chances of getting approved for the loan and may even help you get a lower interest rate.
-
Do I have to make payments while in school?
While you do not need to make payments while in school, borrowers who choose to make in-school payments (like interest-only or flat $25/month) may receive lower interest rates and save significantly on total loan cost.
-
How long does an MBA program take to complete?
Most full-time MBA programs can be completed in 2 years. Attending school full-time means you likely won’t also be able to work full-time. If this is your plan, you should consider including living expenses and other costs while applying for your MBA student loan.
If you’re completing your MBA part-time, you may not need to borrow as much each semester to cover living expenses, but you may need to borrow for more semesters than a full-time student.
Carefully weigh the pros and cons of both scenarios - both personally and financially - before applying for a program and any financial aid you may need.
Footnotes
1
As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. Maximum $150,000.
2
You must be enrolled in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at an eligible school to qualify for the College Ave MBA Loan.
3
Variable rates may increase after consummation. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
4
This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a first year graduate student borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 6.27% fixed Annual Percentage Rate ("APR"): 33 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $145.75 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $14,817.03. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.
5
This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a first-year graduate student borrower who selects the Deferred Repayment Option with a 10-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.10% fixed Annual Percentage Rate ("APR"): 120 monthly payments of $141.66 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $16,699.21. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary.