615 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025

Who Has a 615 Credit Score?

While age itself is not a direct factor in credit score calculations, data shows a clear trend of scores increasing over time. This is largely because older consumers have had more opportunities to build a longer credit history and establish a positive repayment track record. According to 2023 Experian data, the average FICO score breaks down by generation as follows:

• 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 615 Credit Score

A credit score of 615 falls into the "fair" credit range, which can be a mixed bag when you're applying for a new credit card. While you'll likely find lenders willing to approve your application, they may view you as a higher-risk borrower, often resulting in less favorable terms such as higher interest rates and lower credit limits. Despite these potential hurdles, a 615 score doesn't close the door on credit cards entirely; it simply means you'll need to be more strategic in finding cards tailored to your credit profile.

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Fintech company Kudos offers AI-powered tools that provide personalized credit card recommendations based on your unique financial habits and preferences. By analyzing your spending or having you complete a quiz, Kudos matches you with cards that fit your lifestyle and provides insights on how a new card could affect your credit score.

Auto Loans and a 615 Credit Score

A 615 credit score places you in the non-prime borrower category, which means you can likely get approved for an auto loan but won't receive the most competitive offers. Lenders will view your score as a higher risk, resulting in higher interest rates that increase the total cost of your car over the life of the loan.

According to a 2025 market analysis, here is how average auto loan rates break down by credit score for both new and used vehicles:

• 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 615 Credit Score

With a 615 credit score, your primary mortgage option is an FHA loan, which allows for a minimum 3.5% down payment with a score of 580 or higher. While most conventional loans require a score of at least 620, you might also qualify for a VA or USDA loan. Some lenders for these government-backed programs will consider scores below their typical minimum credit score requirements on a case-by-case basis.

A 615 score will directly impact your loan terms. You can expect to face higher interest rates, potentially costing you tens of thousands more over the life of the loan. You will also have to pay higher mortgage insurance premiums and may be subject to stricter underwriting, where lenders scrutinize your financial profile more closely.

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 615 Credit Score

No matter your current standing, improving your credit score is an achievable goal that can significantly impact your financial life. With consistent effort and the right strategies, you can boost your creditworthiness and unlock better financial opportunities.

• Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports allows you to spot and dispute any errors that could be unfairly dragging down your score. For someone with a 615 score, removing even one inaccuracy can provide a meaningful boost.
• Set up automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the single most important factor in your credit score, and late payments are a common reason for a score in the fair range. Automating payments ensures you never miss a due date, building a positive history over time.
• Lower your credit utilization. This ratio of how much credit you're using versus your total limit is a major scoring factor, and keeping it below 30% is crucial. Paying down balances is one of the fastest ways to see an improvement from a 615 score.
• Apply for a secured credit card. If you're struggling to get approved for traditional cards, a secured card is an excellent tool for building or rebuilding credit. Your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus, establishing the positive history needed to raise your 615 score.

Using a tool like Kudos can help you find the right credit-building products and maximize rewards along the way.