What Is the Average Credit Score in America?

What Is the Average Credit Score in America? The average credit score in America is 713 to 714 as of 2025. Both numbers come from FICO-based data Experian recorded 713 in September 2025, while FICO's Spring 2026 report puts it at 714. That places the national average squarely in the "Good" range on the standard credit score scale.

The National Average — And Why It Just Dropped

For over a decade, the average U.S. credit score was either holding steady or slowly rising. That changed in 2025.This marks the first annual decline since 2013 down two points from the year before. Small on paper. But directionally, it matters.

Credit analysts have linked the dip to a few overlapping factors: student loan repayments resuming after a long pause, rising delinquency rates on mortgages and auto loans, and a persistent squeeze on household budgets. None of these hit overnight.

They accumulated. As reported by CNBC, the resumption of federal student loan delinquency reporting was among the key contributing factors to the national score decline.What's worth noting is that the national average still sits comfortably in the "Good" tier despite the drop.

In practice, lenders generally view a score in the low-to-mid 700s as an acceptable risk most standard loan products remain accessible near the national average, though the best rates typically require scores of 740 or above.

What Scoring Model Is the Average Credit Score Based On?

Most published national averages including the 713–714 figure are based on the FICO Score 8 model. FICO scores are used in over 90% of U.S. lending decisions, which is why they're the standard reference point for this kind of data.

VantageScore is another credit scoring model, used by some lenders and many free credit score monitoring tools. It uses a slightly different formula and different factor weightings, which can produce a different number from FICO even for the same person. When you see a national average quoted, it's almost always FICO but it's worth confirming the source.

FICO Score Ranges Explained

A score of 713–714 sits in the Good range. That's not the top tier, but it's past the halfway point  and well above the threshold most lenders require for standard credit products.

Average Credit Score by Age Group

Age and credit scores have a fairly consistent relationship. Older consumers tend to score higher, and the reasons aren't complicated: longer credit history, more types of credit, and typically fewer missed payments over time.

That said, 2025 saw younger generations absorb the steepest declines. Gen Z dropped three points. Millennials dropped two. Baby Boomers actually improved by one point. This reflects both the student loan repayment impact and the fact that older consumers generally have more financial cushion to absorb economic shocks.

Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York estimated that more than nine million student loan borrowers faced significant drops in credit standing once delinquencies began appearing on credit reports in 2025 — a shift that hit younger borrowers hardest.

Average Credit Score by Generation (2025)

A 22-year-old with a 680 is actually tracking close to the average for their age group. Context like this matters comparing yourself to the national average of 713 without accounting for age can be misleading.

Average Credit Score by State

There's a noticeable geographic pattern in U.S. credit scores. Higher scores tend to cluster in the Upper Midwest and New England. Lower scores are more common across the South. The gap between the highest and lowest state averages is around 66 points — which is substantial enough to affect the interest rates borrowers in those states typically see.

States With the Highest Average Credit Scores

States With the Lowest Average Credit Scores

It's worth pointing out that average credit scores fell in most states in 2025. Louisiana and Washington D.C. saw the steepest declines at four points each. Only three states — Illinois, Maine, and Vermont held steady. No state saw an increase.

How American Credit Scores Are Distributed

As of 2025, 70% of U.S. consumers have a Good or better credit score (670 and above). But there's polarization happening at both ends. The share of consumers in the Poor range grew noticeably, while the share with Exceptional scores hit an all-time high.

According to data from Statista, the average U.S. FICO score has been tracked since 2005 and 2025 marks a clear reversal of the long upward trend. Some analysts have described this as a "K-shaped" credit landscape a split between consumers who are managing well and those who are falling further behind.

Understanding where you fall matters as much for your overall financial health as it does for your borrowing power.

Percentage of U.S. Consumers by FICO Score Range (2025)

The rise in the Poor category and the simultaneous rise in the Exceptional category suggests the middle isn't holding as firmly as before. That's a pattern worth watching especially if economic pressures continue into 2026.

What Makes Up a Credit Score?

Understanding the average credit score in America is one thing. Understanding what drives it is another.FICO scores are calculated using five factors, each weighted differently. Payment history carries the most weight by far. Credit utilization how much of your available credit you're actually using — is the second biggest piece.

The rest of the score reflects how long you've had credit, what types of accounts you hold, and how recently you've applied for new credit.Nationally, average credit utilization held steady at 29% in 2025 just under the commonly cited 30% threshold. That suggests overuse of existing credit wasn't the primary driver of the score decline last year.

FICO Score Factors and Weightings

In practice, most people find that their payment history and credit utilization together account for nearly two-thirds of their score — so those two areas tend to move the needle fastest when someone is actively trying to improve.

How to Check Your Own Credit Score

You're entitled to a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once per year through AnnualCreditReport.com. Each bureau also offers ways to view your FICO or VantageScore directly through their own platforms, often for free.

Checking your own score does not affect it. That's a soft inquiry, not a hard one.

Conclusion

The average credit score in America sits at 713–714 as of 2025 — technically "Good," but trending downward for the first time in over a decade. Younger consumers are feeling the most pressure. Most Americans still fall in the Good or above range, but the share in the Poor category is growing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good credit score in America?

A FICO score of 670 or above is generally considered Good. Scores of 740 and above qualify as Very Good. Most competitive loan rates are available to borrowers in the 740–850 range.

What is the average credit score in the U.S. in 2025?

The average credit score in America is 713 per Experian and 714 per FICO's Spring 2026 data. The small difference reflects different data sources and measurement periods — both figures use the FICO model.

What percentage of Americans have excellent credit?

As of September 2025, 22.8% of U.S. consumers have a FICO score between 800 and 850 — the Exceptional range. That's an all-time high, according to Experian data.

Which state has the highest average credit score?

Minnesota leads with an average FICO score of 741 as of 2025. Mississippi has the lowest at 677, creating a roughly 64-point gap between the top and bottom states.

Why did the average U.S. credit score drop in 2025?

The decline is linked to student loan repayments resuming, rising mortgage and auto loan delinquencies, and broader affordability pressures. It marks the first annual drop in the national average FICO score since 2013.