Is 600 a good credit score?

No matter what your finances look like today, it's never too late to make positive changes to improve them. Boosting your finance knowledge and skills will make it easier to make more informed choices that help you create the financial future you envision. 

Do you want to learn more about how your credit standing could impact your life? You're in the right place. 

Achieve isn't a credit repair organization and doesn't provide or offer services or advice to repair, modify, or improve your credit. 

What is a credit score?

A credit score is a three-digit number that reflects your past experience with credit accounts. It serves as a key indicator of your financial health. Your credit score is based on the information found on your credit reports, and that information largely comes from creditors. 

There are different brands of credit scores, and the main ones are FICO and VantageScore. FICO was created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) in 1989. Both FICO scores and VantageScores range from 300 to 850, with a higher score signaling better overall financial health. FICO and VantageScore both come in many different versions. For example, if you apply for a credit card and a car loan, those creditors might see slightly different scores.

Lenders review your credit scores to evaluate whether to approve you for credit, such as a mortgage or personal loan. Your credit score could also influence how much you can borrow and what price you’ll pay.

Your credit score is an important financial marker even if you don't need a loan. For example, a landlord might review your credit score to determine whether to rent an apartment to you. Your credit standing could also impact how much you pay for insurance.  

How does a credit score work?

Here’s how a credit score works and how it’s calculated.

The following factors influence your credit score: 

• Payment history: Whether you pay your bills on time

• Amounts owed: How much debt you owe overall

• Credit utilization and available credit: How close you are to the limits on your credit cards

• Length of credit history: How long you’ve had access to and used credit

• New credit: Recent credit applications and newly opened credit accounts

• Credit mix or depth of credit: Whether you have experience with different types of credit accounts

What does a 600 credit score mean?

If you have a credit score of 600, your credit is fair. This isn't considered a good or excellent credit score, but it's also not a bad or poor credit score. 

Here’s a breakdown of the FICO score ranges: 

• Poor: 300-579

• Fair: 580-669

• Good: 670-739

• Very Good: 740-799

• Excellent: 800-850 

VantageScore breaks it down a little differently:

• Poor: 300-599

• Fair: 600-660

• Good: 661-715

• Very good: 716-747

• Excellent: 748-850

No need to let a low credit score stop you from striving toward your financial goals. A credit score of 600 isn't the end of the world. Most of us have room to improve. Very few people have a perfect credit score, and everyone’s credit score fluctuates. 

It's possible to increase your credit score as you learn new healthy financial habits. You don’t need a lot of money or a high salary to have good credit.

Some things you can do to raise your credit score include always paying your bills on time and lowering your credit card debt.  If you need to reduce your debt, the GOOD money app could help you create a debt payoff plan. 

Is 580 as good as 600? How much does it matter?

A 580 is not as good as 600. FICO considers a 580 to be fair, but VantageScore puts it in the poor credit category. 

If you have a 580 or 600 credit score, the first step to nudging it upward toward good or excellent credit is to understand why it’s low. You can check your credit score for free. Most free credit score websites will tell you what factors are hurting you the most. You shouldn’t need to enter a credit card number to get this information. 

Many banking and credit card mobile apps include tools that allow customers to check their scores for free. It's a good idea to know where your credit score stands so you can create a winning plan to tackle your financial goals.

If the site says high credit card balances are hurting your credit standing, that’s a good thing to focus on. Knocking out credit card debt gives you a double benefit. Clearing your debts could put you in a better place financially while at the same time could help you build a strong credit profile. 

Related: Here’s how to boost your credit score fast 

What loans can you get with a 600 credit score?

With a 600, your lending options will likely be more limited compared to applicants with higher scores. Also, most lenders offer higher interest rates to people with lower credit scores. 

There’s a reason for that. The data shows that someone with a 600 credit score is more likely to default on a debt than someone with a 700 credit score. So the lender charges more to compensate for the additional risk. Even if your credit score is low for a reason beyond your control, you’ll have to address the low score before you can get the lowest rates.

It’ll be harder to find a lender willing to give you a personal loan with a 600 credit score. Eligibility requirements vary by lender, but the minimum credit score for a personal loan is often 620 to 640 or higher.

Mortgages are slightly more available. Most require a minimum 620 credit score, but the FHA loan program has a lower cutoff. You can apply with a 580 or higher. If you have a larger down payment, you could apply with a 500 credit score. 

Remember: If you’re unhappy with your credit score, you can work to raise it before applying for lending solutions. If you’re looking for a loan right now, chat with a lender and ask what credit score would get you a better deal. Getting to that point might take less time than you think it will.

What’s next 

• Check your credit score so you know where it stands.

• Learn about the steps that could help you increase your credit score.

• Give some TLC to the other parts of your financial life, too, like saving up for emergencies and setting a budget. They’re all pieces of the same puzzle.