Who Has a 552 Credit Score?

While age isn't a direct factor in calculating your credit score, there's a clear trend of scores improving over time. According to 2023 data from Experian, the average FICO score increases with each generation:

• Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680
• Millennials (ages 27-42): 690
• Generation X (ages 43-58): 709
• Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745
• Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760

Credit Cards With a 552 Credit Score

A credit score of 552 falls into the 'poor' range, which can significantly impact your ability to qualify for traditional credit cards. Lenders view this score as high-risk, meaning you'll likely face rejections from most mainstream card issuers or be limited to options specifically designed for building credit. These cards, such as secured credit cards, often come with less favorable terms like higher interest rates, annual fees, and lower credit limits.

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Kudos offers a free Explore Tool that helps you find a suitable card by asking what you're looking for, such as building credit or securing a low interest rate. The tool then provides personalized, unbiased recommendations by matching your preferences against its database of nearly 3,000 cards.

Auto Loans and a 552 Credit Score

A 552 credit score places you in the subprime lending category, which can make securing an auto loan more challenging. Lenders will likely view you as a higher-risk borrower, resulting in significantly higher interest rates compared to those with better credit.

According to a 2025 guide on auto loans, average interest rates break down across the following credit score brackets:

• Super-prime (781-850): 5.25% for new cars and 7.13% for used cars
• Prime (661-780): 6.87% for new cars and 9.36% for used cars
• Non-prime (601-660): 9.83% for new cars and 13.92% for used cars
• Subprime (501-600): 13.18% for new cars and 18.86% for used cars
• Deep subprime (300-500): 15.77% for new cars and 21.55% for used cars

Mortgages at a 552 Credit Score

With a 552 credit score, your primary path to homeownership is an FHA loan. According to mortgage requirements, scores below 580 necessitate a down payment of at least 10%. Conventional and jumbo loans are generally unavailable, as they require minimum scores of 620 and 700, respectively. While VA and USDA loans have no official minimum, most lenders require higher scores, making them difficult to obtain.

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A 552 score also leads to less favorable loan terms. You can expect a significantly higher interest rate, likely above 8%, and additional costs like FHA mortgage insurance. Lenders will also subject your finances to stricter scrutiny through manual underwriting to offset the risk associated with a lower credit score.

What's in a Credit Score?

Figuring out what goes into your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, but it generally boils down to a handful of key elements. The most common factors include:

• Your history of making payments on time is the most significant factor.
• How much of your available credit you're currently using, known as your credit utilization ratio, plays a major role.
• The age of your credit accounts, including the average age and the age of your oldest account, is also considered.
• Lenders like to see that you can responsibly manage different types of credit, such as credit cards and loans.
• Opening several new credit accounts in a short period can be seen as a risk and may temporarily lower your score.

How to Improve Your 552 Credit Score

Improving your credit score is achievable through consistent, positive financial behaviors, and there are several proven methods to improve your creditworthiness.

• Monitor your credit reports regularly. A 552 score could be the result of errors or fraud, so you should check for and dispute any inaccuracies on your reports from the major bureaus. This action helps ensure your score is an accurate reflection of your financial history.
• Establish automatic bill payments. Payment history is the most significant factor in your score, and late payments can severely hurt it. Setting up automatic payments is a simple way to guarantee you pay on time, which is a critical step toward rebuilding your credit.
• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. This ratio is the second most important factor in your score, and keeping it below 30% is ideal. Paying down balances demonstrates responsible credit management to lenders and can provide a significant boost to your score.
• Apply for a secured credit card. With a 552 score, you may not qualify for traditional cards, but a secured card is designed for building credit. Your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus, allowing you to establish a positive payment history.

As you work on improving your credit, Kudos can help you use your cards more effectively and maximize rewards.