How to Get a $15,000 Personal Loan
You can get a $15,000 personal loan at banks, credit unions and online lenders. While each lender's eligibility requirements vary, a loan of this size will typically come with a longer repayment term and a higher interest rate than a smaller loan would.
You'll generally need to have good or excellent credit in order to get the best terms on a personal loan. On a $15,000 loan, the credit requirements at some lenders may be stricter than what you'd encounter when applying for a smaller loan.
Here's what to know about getting a $15,000 personal loan.
Where to Get a $15,000 Personal Loan
Personal loans are widely available from banks, credit unions and online lenders. Each lender has its own requirements, including loan minimums and borrowing limits. Depending on your creditworthiness, you may have a range of options to consider.
Banks
National, regional and local banks offer personal loans as one of their many financial products available to customers. It's common for banks to have more stringent credit requirements than credit unions or online lenders. A bank can be a good option if you already have an account there and you can access a loyalty discount, lower fees or higher borrowing limits for existing customers, or if you want to be able to visit a branch in person.
Credit Unions
An alternative to banks are credit unions, which are member-owned and not-for-profit cooperatives that generally provide lower rates and fees on personal loans than banks. You'll need to join the credit union as a member to apply for a personal loan, which generally can be done by paying a membership fee of $5 to $25 or by making a small deposit to open a savings account.
Learn more: How to Join a Credit Union
Online Lenders
You can also apply for a personal loan through an online-only lender, which doesn't have brick-and-mortar locations and conducts all applications and customer service online. There are online lenders that provide personal loans tailored to those with bad credit, and those that offer comparison marketplaces where you can see multiple loan options at once. Online lenders may also offer quick loans that deposit funds in your account the same day you're approved.
Learn more: Personal Loan Requirements to Know Before You Apply
Compare personal loan rates
Find APRs from 4.99% to 35.99% and flexible terms of 12 to 120 months. Loan amounts range from $1,000 up to $250,000, with funding available the same day or up to 7 days.
Offers from our partners
Est. APR6.70 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,806 - $31
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR5.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,806 - $61
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR4.99 - 32.39%
Loan amount$1,000 - $60,000
Est. monthly payment$2,030 - $44
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR8.74 - 35.49%
Loan amount$5,000 - $100,000
Est. monthly payment$3,237 - $228
Term24 - 84 mo
Est. APR6.45 - 33.64%
Loan amount$1,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,731 - $31
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR8.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,806 - $91
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.70 - 24.50%
Loan amount$5,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,453 - $225
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR11.11%
Loan amount$1,000 - $15,000
Est. monthly payment$327 - $88
Term12 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$5,000 - $40,000
Est. monthly payment$1,445 - $226
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR7.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$2,000 - $30,000
Est. monthly payment$1,187 - $90
Term24 - 48 mo
Est. APR6.99 - 26.99%
Loan amount$15,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,526 - $672
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR9.95 - 35.95%
Loan amount$2,000 - $35,000
Est. monthly payment$1,264 - $92
Term24 - 60 mo
Est. APR6.39 - 24.99%
Loan amount$20,000 - $250,000
Est. monthly payment$5,686 - $390
Term60 - 120 mo
Est. APR10.24 - 26.39%
Loan amount$3,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,390 - $139
Term24 - 72 mo
Est. APR9.99 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,000 - $35,000
Est. monthly payment$1,264 - $32
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR8.47 - 33.64%
Loan amount$1,000 - $50,000
Est. monthly payment$1,731 - $32
Term36 - 60 mo
Est. APR18.00 - 35.99%
Loan amount$1,500 - $20,000
Est. monthly payment$723 - $54
Term36 - 60 mo
View all of our Best Personal Loans for 2026 to see what you’re likely to qualify for, and the rates and terms you might get.
How to Apply for a $15,000 Personal Loan
To apply for a $15,000 personal loan, take these steps:
- Confirm the loan amount you need. Since a $15,000 personal loan will likely come with a longer repayment term and higher annual percentage rate (APR) than a smaller loan, make sure you need that much. Use a personal loan calculator to confirm you can afford the monthly payment, and check how much you could save by borrowing less.
- Check you meet the requirements. To have the widest variety of loans to choose from, you'll need a good or excellent credit score of, ideally, 700 or above. With a lower credit score, you may qualify for a loan, but you'll pay higher interest rates and origination fees. Other common personal loan requirements include stable income, a low debt-to-income ratio (DTI) and collateral if you choose a secured personal loan.
- Get prequalified. When you're ready to consider loan offers, get prequalified by several banks, credit unions and online lenders. Prequalification lets you see the loan amounts, interest rates and repayment terms you may be eligible for without undergoing a hard credit check, which can temporarily lower your credit score.
- Compare options. When comparing loan offers, make sure you understand the loan's interest rate, fees, term length and monthly payment, as well as whether the interest rate is fixed or variable and the loan is secured or unsecured. An online marketplace like Experian's personal loan comparison tool can help you find loans matched to your individual credit profile.
- Apply for a loan. Prequalification isn't a guarantee of a loan offer. As a final step, apply directly with the lender you've chosen. To apply for a personal loan, you'll submit contact information and ID, as well as information about your employment, income and monthly housing payment. Once the application is approved, you can accept the loan and receive the funding in your account according to the lender's guidelines.
Learn more: How to Prequalify for a Personal Loan
What Credit Score Do I Need to Get a $15,000 Personal Loan?
You typically need a credit score of 700 or higher to get the most affordable personal loan available. That will ensure you don't pay high origination fees that increase your APR, that your interest rate is as low as possible and that you qualify for the loan amount and repayment term you want.
In practice, lenders' credit score requirements vary. You may qualify for a $15,000 loan if you have bad or fair credit. But that loan will likely cost you far more in origination fees and interest than if you had good credit. It may even require you to put up collateral, such as a car, to qualify.
Should I Get a $15,000 Personal Loan?
A $15,000 personal loan may be a good idea when:
- You have a clear plan for payoff. Personal loans come with fixed monthly payments over a specified term. Check your budget to make sure you can afford a new personal loan. If you can comfortably pay off the loan while continuing to maintain an emergency fund and save for other goals like retirement, it likely fits into your financial plan.
- You can get a lower interest rate than on a credit card. When you need to make a big purchase that you're considering putting on a credit card, exploring personal loans could save you money. Your savings depend primarily on your credit profile, since lenders offer lower personal loan rates to those with strong credit. But a personal loan may be a good idea if your APR would be less than the average credit card interest rate, which was 22.3% as of November 2025, according to the Federal Reserve.
- Your credit qualifies you for solid terms. A personal loan can be a good deal if you're able to qualify for a good interest rate on an unsecured loan with low or no origination fees. If you can't, consider opting for a smaller loan or borrowing from a loved one.
Learn more: What Can a Personal Loan Be Used For?
Alternatives to Personal Loans
You may decide not to pursue a personal loan, or you're not eligible for one. Try these alternatives:
- Home equity loan or line of credit: If you own your home, you may be able to use a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) to borrow against any equity you've built. The lending requirements may be less strict than those for an unsecured personal loan. But your home will be collateral for the loan, meaning there's a risk you could lose it if you can't make payments.
- Payday alternative loan or other small loan: If you're looking for a personal loan because you need money fast and for a short time, a payday alternative loan from a federal credit union is a viable option. They're available for terms of one to 12 months and in amounts of $200 to $2,000. Even opting for a personal loan of $5,000 as opposed to $15,000 will likely open you up to better terms and lower costs, especially if you have credit challenges.
- Borrowing from friends and family: You can avoid high fees and application difficulties by turning to loved ones for a loan. To reduce awkwardness and potential complications to the relationship, make a loan agreement that spells out exactly how you'll repay the money and by when.
Learn more: Alternatives if You Can't Qualify for a Personal Loan
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
A $15,000 personal loan is likely accessible for borrowers across the credit spectrum, but the cost of the loan will be higher if you don't have good credit. To strengthen your credit before searching for a loan, start by checking your FICO® ScoreΘ, which you can do for free with an Experian account. That can help you identify which elements of your score to focus on and improve before submitting an application, potentially netting you substantial savings on interest and fees.
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About the author
Brianna McGurran
Brianna McGurran is a freelance journalist and writing teacher based in Brooklyn, New York. Most recently, she was a staff writer and spokesperson at the personal finance website NerdWallet, where she wrote "Ask Brianna," a financial advice column syndicated by the Associated Press.
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