Student Loan vs. Credit Card: College Expense Comparison

Expense Amount & Repayment Term

$
This term will be applied to both options for a direct cost comparison.

Student Loan Assumptions

%
Federal student loan rates are fixed. Private rates vary.
% of Loan Amount
Typical for Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized/Unsubsidized). Check StudentAid.gov for current rates.
Total Calculated Student Loan Fees:

Credit Card Assumptions

%
Credit card APRs are typically much higher than student loan rates.
Note: For this comparison, we assume no upfront fees for using the credit card for the expense (like a purchase). If you plan to use a cash advance, fees and interest rates are usually much higher and start immediately.

Cost Comparison & Guidance

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