Student Loan Tip: Calculate Your Loan-to-Income Ratio

Ratio of 1 dollar and 2 dollars graphic against green background.One of the many factors you should take into consideration before taking a student loan is your loan-to-income ratio. This is the ratio of your monthly debt to your gross monthly income. Of course, this strategy only really works if you have an idea of what career you plan to follow, or if you know the average starting salary of your major. A bit of research is necessary, but well worth it.

Here’s how you calculate your loan-to-income ratio:

Let’s say that every month you owe $1,500 towards rent, and $500 towards your monthly payment. If your gross monthly income is $5,000, then your loan-to-income ratio is $2,000 (the total amount you owe every month) divided by $5,000 (your total income) = 40% or 0.4.

Is 40% A Good Loan-To-Income Ratio? Yes, it is. It means you would only be only paying 40% of your income to pay off your debts so you are at low risk for defaulting on your loan payments.

How To Use The Loan-To-Income Ratio When Taking Out A Student Loan

When taking out a student loan, you must do some research into the starting gross monthly salary of your prospective career. Ideally, the maximum you should borrow is at a 1:1 ratio of your monthly debt to your expected gross monthly salary immediately after graduating.

So, calculate your monthly payments and add it to your estimated monthly rent. The total of these two should be equal to or better still, less than your potential monthly gross income.

Taking the time to figure this out can save you from making a bad decision with far-reaching consequences.

Use College Raptor’s free Student Loan Finder to compare lenders and interest rates side by side!

 

Lender Rates (APR) Eligibility
Citizens logo.
5.89%-16.51%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT CITIZENS
Sallie Mae logo.
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT SALLIE MAE
Credibe company logo.
5.00% - 17.99% Variable
3.59% - 17.99% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT CREDIBLE
Lendkey company logo.
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT LENDKEY
Ascent company logo.
6.00% - 15.21% Variable
3.59% - 14.16% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT ASCENT
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT ISL
Earnest company logo.
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT EARNEST
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
Undergraduate and Graduate
VISIT ELFI
College Raptor is not a loan lender and does not assume responsibility for suggesting a loan to a user who may not be eligible for it. Rates, terms, conditions, eligibility, approval, and other considerations are the decisions of the lenders and may vary depending on which lender or marketplace the user selects. We urge users to carefully consider and review all loan options and terms before committing to taking out a loan.

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