Who Has a 572 Credit Score?

While age isn't a direct factor in calculating your credit score, there are clear trends showing that average scores tend to increase over time. Here's a look at the average FICO score by age group, according to 2023 Experian data:

• Ages 18-26: 680
• Ages 27-42: 690
• Ages 43-58: 709
• Ages 59-77: 745
• Ages 78+: 760

Credit Cards With a 572 Credit Score

A credit score of 572 falls into the "poor" credit range, which can significantly limit your options when applying for a new credit card. Most lenders view this score as high-risk, making it difficult to qualify for traditional unsecured cards that offer premium rewards and low interest rates. Instead, your choices will likely be geared toward secured credit cards or unsecured cards specifically designed for building credit, which often come with less favorable terms.

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To find a card that fits your specific needs, a personalized recommendation engine like the Kudos Explore Tool can help. The tool uses a quiz to understand your preferences and then shows you how different cards from its database of nearly 3,000 options match up, helping you make a more informed decision for your financial situation.

Auto Loans and a 572 Credit Score

A 572 credit score places you in the subprime lending category, which means you'll likely face higher interest rates on an auto loan. While approval is possible, lenders view this score as a greater risk, leading to significantly less favorable loan terms.

Based on 2025 auto loan data, here are the average interest rates across different credit score tiers for new and used vehicles:

• 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 572 Credit Score

With a 572 credit score, your mortgage options are limited but not nonexistent. Conventional loans are typically out of reach, but you may qualify for a government-backed FHA loan. According to mortgage credit requirements, borrowers with scores below 580 can be approved for an FHA loan if they can make a down payment of at least 10%. While other programs like VA or USDA loans exist, they generally look for higher scores.

A 572 credit score will directly impact your loan terms. You can expect to face a higher interest rate, which significantly increases the total cost of the loan over its lifetime. Lenders will also likely conduct a more rigorous review of your finances, known as manual underwriting, and may cap the total amount you can borrow to offset their risk. FHA loans also come with additional mortgage insurance fees.

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 572 Credit Score

Improving your credit score is an achievable goal that requires consistent effort, and with the right strategies, you can see meaningful changes in just a few months. A 572 score is a starting point for building a stronger financial future.

• Monitor your credit reports. You can obtain free credit reports to check for inaccuracies or fraudulent activity that could be unfairly lowering your score. Disputing and removing these errors is a direct way to repair your credit profile.
• Establish automatic bill payments. Payment history is the most significant factor in your credit score, so setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date. This builds a positive payment record, which is essential for moving away from a low score.
• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Aim to keep your credit card balances below 30% of your total limit, as this is the second-largest component of your score. Paying down your balances is one of the fastest ways to see a positive impact on a 572 score.
• Become an authorized user. Being added to a credit card account of a trusted person with a strong payment history can add their positive credit habits to your report. This can help lengthen your credit history and lower your overall utilization, giving your score a boost.

To help you use your cards more effectively while you build credit, the AI-powered browser extension from Kudos can recommend the best card for every purchase.