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372 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025

TL;DR
A 372 credit score is on the lower end of the spectrum, presenting a clear opportunity to build a stronger financial profile. This score falls into the 'Poor' FICO score category, which serves as a foundational baseline for improvement.
What Does a 372 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 372 falls into the "poor" range of the FICO scoring model, which runs from 300 to 850. This score signals to lenders that you are a high-risk borrower, significantly impacting your financial life. You'll likely face rejections for most loans and credit cards. Any approved credit will almost certainly come with very high interest rates and unfavorable terms, making borrowing expensive and limiting your options.
While this score presents considerable challenges, it is not a permanent situation. It reflects past credit difficulties but also serves as a baseline from which to improve. Understanding the factors behind this score is the first step toward rebuilding. Over time, it is possible to build a healthier credit history and unlock better financial opportunities.
Who Has a 372 Credit Score?
While a 372 credit score is significantly below the average for any demographic, credit scores do tend to trend upward with age. Based on 2023 Experian data, here is the breakdown of average FICO scores by generation:
- Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680
- Millennials (ages 27-42): 690
- Generation X (ages 43-58): 709
- Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745
- The Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760
Credit Cards With a 372 Credit Score
A credit score of 372 is considered very poor, which can significantly hinder your ability to qualify for most credit cards. Lenders view this score as a high risk, meaning you'll likely face rejections for standard unsecured cards. Your options will probably be limited to products specifically designed for building credit, such as secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit.
Kudos offers AI-powered tools like Dream Wallet and Explore that provide personalized credit card recommendations based on your unique financial situation. By analyzing your spending habits or preferences, Kudos helps you compare options and understand potential impacts on your credit score, ensuring you can find a card that fits your needs.
Auto Loans and a 372 Credit Score
A 372 credit score places you in the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan challenging and significantly more expensive. Lenders will view you as a high-risk borrower, leading to the highest interest rates and potentially stricter loan terms if you are approved.
According to a 2025 market analysis, average auto loan interest rates vary dramatically based on credit score:
- Super-prime (781-850): 5.25% for new cars, 7.13% for used cars
- Prime (661-780): 6.87% for new cars, 9.36% for used cars
- Non-prime (601-660): 9.83% for new cars, 13.92% for used cars
- Subprime (501-600): 13.18% for new cars, 18.86% for used cars
- Deep subprime (300-500): 15.77% for new cars, 21.55% for used cars
Mortgages at a 372 Credit Score
A 372 credit score is considered extremely poor and falls well below the minimum requirements for nearly all mainstream mortgage products. According to a Kudos mortgage guide, even government-backed FHA loans require a minimum score of 500, and that’s with a 10% down payment. For most conventional loans, the minimum is 620, making it highly unlikely to secure a mortgage with a score in the 300s.
Even if you found a rare, specialized lender willing to consider your application, a 372 score would lead to severe consequences. You would face punishingly high interest rates and fees, a much lower approved loan amount, and an intensely scrutinized underwriting process. Essentially, any available financing would be exceptionally expensive and difficult to obtain.
What's in a Credit Score?
Understanding your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, as it's a blend of several key financial habits. The most common factors that determine your score include:
- Your payment history tracks whether you have paid past credit accounts on time.
- Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you are currently using.
- The length of your credit history considers the age of your oldest account and the average age of all your accounts.
- Credit mix refers to the variety of credit products you have, such as credit cards, retail accounts, and loans.
- New credit inquiries and recently opened accounts can also temporarily impact your score.
How to Improve Your 372 Credit Score
While a 372 credit score presents challenges, it is entirely possible to improve it with consistent, positive financial habits. With the right strategies, most people can see meaningful changes within three to six months of dedicated effort.
- Monitor Your Credit Reports. Regularly obtaining your free credit reports allows you to spot and dispute errors or inaccuracies that could be unfairly lowering your score. A clean, correct report is the essential foundation for building better credit.
- Make On-Time Payments. Since payment history is the single most important factor in your score, setting up automatic payments is a crucial step for rebuilding. This ensures you never miss a due date, avoiding the severe negative impact of late payments.
- Apply for a Secured Credit Card. A secured card is an excellent tool for someone with a low score, as it requires a security deposit, making it easier to get approved for. Your responsible use and on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus, helping you establish a positive history.
- Address Collection Accounts. Outstanding collections can severely damage a credit score, so it's important to address them directly. Negotiating a settlement or a payment plan can reduce their negative impact over time and show lenders you are resolving past issues.
For tools to help manage your credit cards and track your progress as you rebuild, consider using the resources offered by Kudos.
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