Credit Score Simulator

Model how paying down debt, opening or closing cards, or missing payments can change your credit score

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How This Simulator Works

Plan Moves Before Major Applications

Avoid Unexpected Score Damage

Stack Smarter Credit Strategies

Best Practices Before You Take Action

We mirror FICO-style weighting: payment history (35%), credit utilization (30%), length of history (15%), new credit (10%), and credit mix (10%). Each simulation recalculates those components and projects a score range so you can make informed decisions before you apply, close, or miss a payment.

Run a pay-down scenario before applying for a mortgage or auto loan to see if dropping utilization pushes you into a higher tier.

Closing your oldest card or missing a payment can erase years of progress. The simulator shows you the likely hit before it happens.

Combine actions—like paying down debt and requesting a limit increase—to test which sequence gives you the biggest boost with the least risk.

  • Pull your latest credit report so balances, limits, and late payments are up to date.
  • Adjust scenarios for real-world assumptions (e.g., statement dates, credit limit approvals, lender reporting timelines).
  • Log the results and revisit them after lenders report changes to compare projections against reality.

  • Debt Payoff Calculator {' '} – Build the payoff plan that feeds directly into better credit utilization.
  • Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator {' '} – Check mortgage-readiness after you adjust balances.
  • APR Reality Check {' '} – Translate credit card APRs into daily dollars so you know which balances to attack first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Credit Score Simulator

Credit score simulators provide directional estimates based on known FICO factors (payment history 35%, utilization 30%, credit age 15%, new credit 10%, credit mix 10%), but actual scores vary by model and lender. Different bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) and scoring models (FICO 8, FICO 9, VantageScore) produce different results. Use this as a planning tool, not an exact prediction.

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates (2024-2025)

• Undergraduate Direct Loans: 6.53%
• Graduate Direct Unsubsidized: 8.08%
• Direct PLUS Loans: 9.08%

Income-Driven Repayment Plans

• SAVE Plan: 5% of discretionary income (undergraduate), 10% (graduate), 0% below 225% FPL
• PAYE Plan: 10% of discretionary income, capped at 10-year standard
• IBR Plan: 10-15% of discretionary income based on loan date
• ICR Plan: Lesser of 20% discretionary income or fixed 12-year payment

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• Requires 120 qualifying monthly payments (10 years)
• Must work full-time for qualifying employer (government/non-profit)
• Remaining balance forgiven tax-free after 120 payments

Average Student Loan Debt (Class of 2023)

• Bachelor's degree borrowers: $28,950 average debt
• Total outstanding student loan debt (U.S.): $1.75 trillion
• Average monthly payment: $200-$299 for most borrowers

Refinancing Rates (2025)

• Private refinancing rates: 4.5% - 9.5% (varies by credit, term)
• Note: Refinancing federal loans means losing federal protections (IDR, PSLF, forbearance)

Important

Student loan rules change frequently. Always verify current program requirements at StudentAid.gov before making decisions.

⚠️ Important