Credit Score Ranges: FICO vs VantageScore
Understanding FICO and VantageScore credit score tiers and what each range means
Key Numbers
FICO Range
300–850
U.S. Average
715
Good FICO
670–739
Lenders Using FICO
90%
Credit scores range from 300 to 850 and summarize your creditworthiness — how likely you are to repay borrowed money. The two major scoring models are FICO (used in 90% of top U.S. lending decisions) and VantageScore (created by the three credit bureaus). Both use the same 300–850 scale but define their tiers differently.
FICO vs. VantageScore at a Glance
| Feature | FICO | VantageScore |
|---|---|---|
| Score Range | 300–850 | 300–850 |
| Created By | Fair Isaac Corp. (1989) | Equifax, Experian, TransUnion (2006) |
| Lender Adoption | 90% of top lenders | Growing — credit cards, personal loans |
| Minimum Credit History | 6 months | 1 month |
| "Good" Range | 670–739 | 661–780 |
| Number of Tiers | 5 | 4 |
U.S. FICO Score Distribution (2025)
| FICO Range | Rating | % of Americans |
|---|---|---|
| 800–850 | Exceptional | ~24% |
| 740–799 | Very Good | ~24% |
| 670–739 | Good | ~21% |
| 580–669 | Fair | ~15% |
| 300–579 | Poor | ~16% |
Your credit score affects loan approvals, interest rates, credit limits, insurance premiums (in most states), and rental applications. Some employers also review credit reports during hiring. FICO dominates mortgage and auto lending; VantageScore appears more often in free monitoring services like Credit Karma, Capital One CreditWise, and Chase Credit Journey.
FICO Score Ranges
FICO Scores are the industry standard, created by Fair Isaac Corporation in 1989. FICO breaks scores into five tiers from "Poor" to "Exceptional" — your tier determines your rate and approval odds across all major lending products.
FICO Scoring Factors
| Factor | Weight | What Counts |
|---|---|---|
| Payment History | 35% | On-time payments, late payments, collections, bankruptcies |
| Amounts Owed | 30% | Credit card balances vs. limits (utilization); aim for under 10% |
| Length of History | 15% | Average account age; older is better — don't close old cards |
| Credit Mix | 10% | Variety of account types (cards, installment loans, mortgage) |
| New Credit | 10% | Recent applications and hard inquiries; too many hurts |
Typical Lending Rates by FICO Tier
| Product | Exceptional (800+) | Good (670–739) | Poor (<580) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage (30-yr) | ~6.5% | ~7.2% | FHA only, high rates |
| Auto Loan | 5–6% | 8–10% | 14–20%+ |
| Credit Cards | 17–21% | 21–24% | 28%+ or secured only |
| Personal Loan | 8–10% | 12–18% | 25%+ or denied |
The practical threshold is 760: While 800+ is "Exceptional," most lenders offer their best rates starting at 760. There is little financial benefit to pushing beyond 760 for most lending products.
VantageScore Ranges
VantageScore was created in 2006 by the three major credit bureaus as an alternative to FICO. It uses the same 300–850 range but groups scores into four tiers instead of five, and uses descriptive weightings rather than exact percentages.
VantageScore Tiers
| Score Range | Rating | Lender Term | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 781–850 | Excellent | Superprime | Best rates, easiest approvals |
| 661–780 | Good | Prime | Competitive rates, broad product access |
| 601–660 | Fair | Near Prime | Higher rates, more limited options |
| 300–600 | Poor | Subprime | Frequent denials, highest rates |
VantageScore Scoring Factors
| Influence Level | Factor(s) |
|---|---|
| Extremely Influential | Payment history |
| Highly Influential | Age & type of credit, percent of credit used |
| Moderately Influential | Total balances and debt |
| Less Influential | Recent credit behavior, available credit |
Key Differences from FICO
| Factor | FICO | VantageScore |
|---|---|---|
| History Required | 6 months + activity in past 6 months | 1 month + activity in past 24 months |
| Late Payment Impact | All late payments treated similarly | Late mortgage hurts more |
| Rent & Utilities | Not included (unless reported) | Can be included |
| Rate-Shopping Window | 45 days | 14 days |
Know which score your lender uses: FICO dominates mortgages, auto loans, and most traditional lending. VantageScore appears primarily in free monitoring tools and some credit card decisions. A "Good" VantageScore does not guarantee a "Good" FICO — the tiers don't align exactly.
Improving Your Score
Score improvement fundamentals are straightforward: pay on time, keep balances low, and avoid unnecessary new accounts. The table below shows how common actions affect your score and how quickly.
Common Score Actions & Impact
| Action | Typical Impact | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 30-day late payment | −60 to −110 pts | Immediately |
| Account sent to collections | −50 to −100+ pts | When reported |
| Maxing out a credit card | −20 to −45 pts | Immediately |
| Opening new credit card | −5 to −15 pts | Immediately (temporary) |
| Hard inquiry | −3 to −10 pts | Immediately; fades after 12 months |
| Pay down to <10% utilization | +20 to +50 pts | 1–2 billing cycles |
| Remove error from report | +10 to +50+ pts | 30–45 days |
| 6+ months on-time payments | Gradual improvement | 6–12+ months |
Credit Building Tools
| Tool | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Secured Credit Card | Deposit becomes your credit limit; graduate to unsecured in 6–12 months | No credit or rebuilding |
| Credit Builder Loan | Small loan held in savings; payments reported to bureaus. No credit check. | Thin files, credit unions |
| Authorized User | Piggyback on someone's old, low-utilization card to inherit their history | Young adults, thin files |
| Experian Boost | Add on-time utility, phone, and streaming payments to Experian report (free) | Quick score bump |
| Rent Reporting | Services report rent payments to bureaus (usually for a monthly fee) | Renters with thin files |
Utilization Target
People with 800+ FICO scores average ~6% utilization. The common "under 30%" advice is the danger threshold, not the target. Aim for single digits.
Free Monitoring
Get free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com (weekly from all 3 bureaus). Checking your own score is a "soft inquiry" and never hurts your credit.
Sources
- 1.FICO — Average U.S. FICO Score Drops to 715 (April 2025)
- 2.FICO — FICO Score Credit Insights Report (Fall 2025)
- 3.myFICO — Understanding FICO Scores
- 4.VantageScore — Understanding Your Score
- 5.Experian — What Is the Average Credit Score in the U.S.?
- 6.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Credit Scores
- 7.AnnualCreditReport.com — Free Credit Reports
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for guidance tailored to your situation.