For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent.
For credit scores that range from 300 to 850, a credit score in the mid to high 600s or above is generally considered good. A score in the high 700s or 800s is considered excellent. About a third of consumers have FICO® ScoresÎ that fall between 600 and 750âand an additional 48% have a higher score. In 2023, the average FICO® Score in the U.S. was 715.
Lenders use their own criteria for deciding whom to lend to and at what rates. But a higher credit score can generally help you qualify for a credit card or loan with a lower interest rate and better terms. The two main types of credit scores, the FICO® Score and VantageScore® credit scores, vary slightly in their ranges but have similar scoring factors.
Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life It gives lenders an idea of how risky or reliable you are with credit If you have a credit score of 615, you may be wondering – is 615 a good credit score or a bad one?
The short answer is that a 615 credit score is considered fair or below average. It’s not terrible but it’s also not good. A score of 615 indicates you’ve had some issues with credit in the past. As a result you’ll likely have a harder time getting approved for loans and credit cards. You’ll also likely pay higher interest rates.
While a 615 credit score isn’t ideal, the good news is there are steps you can take to improve it. With some time and effort, you can get your score back on track.
What is a Good Credit Score?
A good credit score is generally 670 or higher. Excellent credit scores start at 740. Here’s a breakdown of the credit score ranges:
- 800-850: Exceptional
- 740-799: Very Good
- 670-739: Good
- 580-669: Fair
- 300-579: Very Poor
As you can see a 615 credit score falls into the fair range. It’s below the score lenders usually look for to qualify borrowers for the best rates and terms.
Just 17% of Americans have credit scores between 580-669. The average US credit score is 716. So while a 615 isn’t terrible, it also isn’t great compared to most other consumers.
Why a 615 Credit Score is Considered Fair
There are a few reasons a 615 credit score is considered fair rather than good:
1. Higher Risk of Delinquency
Data shows that consumers with scores between 580-669 are more likely to become seriously delinquent on credit obligations compared to those with higher scores.
About 28% of people with scores in this range are likely to become 90 days or more past due on credit accounts. That’s a risk many lenders aren’t willing to take.
2. Limited Credit History
A short or limited credit history is common with fair credit scores. Things like a lack of accounts, high balances, and new accounts can bring scores down into the low 600s.
3. Negative Items
Late payments, collections accounts, and other derogatory marks often accompany credit scores in the low 600s. Just one 30-day late payment can drop your scores by 50-100 points.
Multiple late payments or collections can cause an even bigger drop. It takes time to rebuild credit after these negative items.
Credit Score Factors Affecting a 615 Score
Your credit scores are calculated based on information in your credit reports. Several factors likely contributed to a 615 score.
Payment History
This has the biggest impact, accounting for 35% of your FICO scores. Late payments can really drag down your scores.
95% of people with a 615 score have late payments on record. Even one 30-day late can seriously hurt.
Credit Utilization
This measures how much of your total credit limits you’re using. It accounts for 30% of your scores. High utilization lowers your scores.
People with 615 scores have an average utilization of 57%. Experts recommend keeping utilization below 30%.
Credit Age and Mix
These factors account for about 15% of your scores. Having new accounts and a lack of installment loans can lower your scores.
Hard Inquiries and New Accounts
Too many new accounts and credit checks in a short period can indicate higher risk and lower your scores temporarily.
Public Records
Bankruptcies, liens, and wage garnishment orders can devastate your scores if listed in your credit reports.
Is a 615 Credit Score Good Enough to Get Approved?
While it’s possible to get approved with a 615 credit score, it won’t be easy. You’ll likely face much higher interest rates and have fewer lenders willing to work with you.
Here’s a look at what you can expect when trying to get approved for credit with a 615 score:
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Credit Cards – Most standard credit cards require good to excellent credit. Your best bets are secured cards or cards aimed at those rebuilding credit.
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Personal Loans – Approval will be very difficult. You may need to look for a secured loan or find a co-signer to meet approval criteria.
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Auto Loans – You can likely get approved but will pay higher interest rates. Shopping around is key to find the best rates.
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Mortgages – Unlikely to qualify for a conventional mortgage. May need an FHA, VA, or USDA home loan.
While it’s not impossible to get approved with a 615 score, you won’t get ideal rates or terms. It’s wise to spend some time improving your credit before applying for new credit.
How to Improve a 615 Credit Score
The good news is that while a 615 isn’t a perfect score, it’s a great starting point for building better credit. Here are some tips to improve your 615 score:
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Check credit reports – Review your reports for errors and dispute any you find. Mistakes could be dragging down your scores.
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Pay on time – Your payment history has the biggest impact. Pay all bills on time, every time.
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Lower balances – High utilization hurts your scores. Try to keep balances below 30% of credit limits.
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Allow credit age to build – Avoid closing old, established accounts if possible. Length of history helps.
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Limit hard inquiries – Too many credit checks in a short period can lower your scores. Only apply for what you need.
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Use credit responsibly – Manage credit wisely to build positive history. Apply for new credit sparingly.
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Be patient – Improving credit takes diligence and time. Stay focused on building good habits.
With effort and patience, you can absolutely boost your credit from the low 600s to the good credit range and above. Check your credit reports and scores, make a plan, and stick to credit-building fundamentals.
The Takeaway
While a 615 credit score is considered fair rather than good, it’s far from terrible. Millions of Americans have scores in the low 600s. The key is to view it as a starting point and take steps to boost your credit over time.
With diligent work, you can absolutely improve your 615 score and open the door to better loan terms in the future. Monitor your credit, focus on positive habits, and be patient. Your hard work will pay off with higher scores and more financial opportunities.
FICO’s Different Credit Scores
In 1989, FICO became the first company to create credit scoring models based on consumer credit reports. Although recent FICO® Score versions share a common name, such as FICO® Score 8, FICO creates different versions of the models for each credit bureau.
There are three general types of consumer FICO® Scores:
- Base FICO® Scores: These scores are created for any type of lender and they range from 300 to 850. The scores try to predict the likelihood that a consumer will fall behind on any type of credit obligation.
- Industry-specific FICO® Scores: FICO creates auto scores and bankcard scores specifically for auto lenders and card issuers. Industry scores aim to predict the likelihood that a consumer will fall behind on the specific type of account, and the scores range from 250 to 900.
- FICO® Scores that use alternative data: FICO has models that can incorporate alternative credit data, such as the UltraFICO® and FICO XD scores. Both scores range from 300 to 850. The former can consider linking deposit account information, and the latter can score people using nontraditional types of payment history from other databases, such as your telecom or utility payments.
FICO industry-specific scores are built on top of a base FICO® Score, and FICO periodically releases new suites of scores. For example, the FICO® Score 10 Suite includes a base FICO® Score 10, a FICO® Score 10 T (which considers trended data) and industry-specific scores.
What Is a Good Credit Score to Buy a Car?
While there isnt a set minimum credit score to buy a car, a VantageScore credit score of 661 or higher could be a good score. Youll generally qualify for better auto loan terms as your score increases.
Auto lenders view low credit scores as a sign of risk, so an applicant with poor or fair credit will pay more in interest and might receive a lower loan limit. If you dont have a good score, try to improve your credit before you buy a car.
Learn more: Average Car Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score
What is a GOOD Credit Score in 2025? What’s the Average Credit Score Overall & By Age / Generation?
FAQ
What can I do with a 615 credit score?
How to increase credit score from 615 to 700?
- Pay on Time, Every Time. …
- Pay Down Credit Card Balances. …
- Avoid Unnecessary Debt. …
- Dispute Inaccurate Credit Report Information. …
- Avoid Closing Old Credit Cards.
Can I buy a house with a 615 credit score?
How bad is a credit score of 615?
A FICO® ScoreΘ of 615 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 615 FICO® Score is lower than the average U.S. credit score. 17% of all consumers have Scores in the Fair range (580-669).
Is 615 a good credit score?
If you have an 615 credit score, you are generally considered a subprime consumer, but it won’t necessarily prevent you from borrowing money. The average FICO credit score in the United States is 714 as of 2021, and scores within the 580-669 range are considered to be “fair” credit.
What is a 615 FICO ® score?
A 615 FICO ® Score is a 615-point score on the FICO ® credit scoring model. It is considered an average score and is a good starting point for building a better credit score. Boosting your score into the good range could help you gain access to more credit options, lower interest rates, and fewer fees.
How to improve a credit score of 615?
To improve a credit score of 615, you could consider applying for a secured credit card and paying the bill on time every month. For example, you could also borrow a small amount with certain unsecured credit cards or a personal loan for damaged credit, but the interest rate is likely to be high.
What is the average APR on a 620-659 credit score?
With a score in the 620-659 credit score range, the average APR was 11.76%. And with a score of 590-619, the average rate was 15.92%. It’s also worth mentioning that interest rates can vary significantly among lenders, even for borrowers with the exact same credit score.
What should I do if my credit score is 600?
If your credit score is around 600, improving your credit utilization and paying your bills by the due date every month should be among the first orders of business.