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

TL;DR
A 790 credit score is not just good—it's outstanding. This score places you firmly in the 'Exceptional' FICO score range, opening the door to the best interest rates and loan terms available.
What Does a 790 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 790 places you firmly in the "very good" range of FICO scores, which span from 300 to 850. Lenders view this as the mark of an exceptionally responsible borrower. Consequently, you'll likely qualify for some of the most favorable interest rates and terms on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. This translates into substantial savings over the lifetime of your loans, freeing up your money for other goals.
While a 790 score is excellent, there's still a path forward. Maintaining this high score and even aiming higher requires consistent, positive financial behavior. You're already in an enviable position, and continuing on this track will ensure you always have access to the best financial opportunities available.
Who Has a 790 Credit Score?
While age isn't a direct factor in calculating your credit score, there is a strong correlation between age and higher scores. As people get older, they tend to have longer credit histories and more experience managing their finances. According to 2023 Experian data on average credit scores, the breakdown by generation is 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
- The Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760
Credit Cards With a 790 Credit Score
A 790 credit score places you firmly in the excellent credit tier, making you a highly attractive applicant to virtually any credit card issuer. This means you'll likely qualify for the most exclusive premium travel and rewards cards, which often come with substantial sign-up bonuses and luxurious perks. Lenders will view you as a very low-risk borrower, translating to approvals for the lowest available interest rates and generous credit limits.
Kudos can help you find the perfect card for your financial situation with its personalized recommendation engine, the Explore Tool. The platform considers your preferences for rewards and fees to suggest cards that align with your credit profile and spending habits.
Auto Loans and a 790 Credit Score
With a 790 credit score, you fall into the super-prime category, making you an ideal candidate for an auto loan. Lenders will likely offer you the most competitive interest rates, potentially as low as 5.25% for a new car, according to a 2025 analysis.
- 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 790 Credit Score
With a 790 credit score, you are in an excellent position to secure a home loan. This score is well above the minimum requirements for all major mortgage types, including Conventional, Jumbo, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. According to a guide from Kudos, lenders view borrowers in this top tier as low-risk, giving you the widest possible range of financing options to choose from.
Your high score also has a major impact on loan terms. You will likely qualify for the best available interest rates, which can save you a significant amount of money. It also makes loan approval easier, can reduce your private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums, and may even provide leverage to negotiate perks like closing cost credits from lenders.
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 payment history, which tracks whether you pay your bills on time, is the most significant factor.
- Credit utilization, or the amount of credit you're using compared to your total available credit, also plays a major role.
- The length of your credit history demonstrates your experience with managing credit over time.
- Having a healthy mix of different types of credit, such as credit cards and installment loans, can positively impact your score.
- Finally, recent credit inquiries, which occur when you apply for new credit, are also taken into account.
How to Improve Your 790 Credit Score
No matter your starting point, it is always possible to improve your credit score. Even with a score in the 'very good' range, employing proven methods can push you into the excellent tier and unlock even better financial products.
- Reduce your credit utilization. Keeping your credit utilization low is crucial, and pushing it well below the recommended 30% can provide a significant boost. This demonstrates to lenders that you manage your credit with precision and don't rely on it to make ends meet.
- Diversify your credit mix. Lenders like to see that you can responsibly handle different types of credit, such as both revolving accounts and installment loans. Adding a new type of credit to your profile and managing it well can strengthen your score by showing your versatility as a borrower.
- Limit hard inquiries. While a 790 score makes you eligible for top-tier products, each application for new credit can cause a small dip in your score. Be selective about applying for new credit to protect your score from unnecessary dings and keep it on an upward trajectory.
- Monitor your credit reports. Regularly reviewing your credit reports from all three bureaus helps you spot and dispute any inaccuracies that could be holding your score back. This vigilance also serves as your first line of defense against identity theft that could jeopardize your excellent credit standing.
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