Credit Score Range Comparison

Most consumers don’t realize it, but credit scores are a complicated product. You might purchase a credit score, then apply for a loan and have your lender give you an entirely different credit score. How many credit scores are there and what’s the difference between them all?

FICO Score

The FICO score is the most widely-used and respected of all the credit scores. The score ranges from 300 to 850 and is calculated for each of your three credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Lenders most often pull your FICO score to approve a loan application.

There’s also a FICO Expansion score for consumers who can’t get a FICO score because they don’t have enough data in their credit report. Generally, to have a credit score, you must have one account that’s at least six months old or that’s been updated in the past six months. The FICO Expansion score is based on non-traditional sources of data like utility bill payments and is also based on a 300 to 850 scale. The score is calculated by Fair Isaac, the same company that developed and calculates the FICO score.

Scores from Credit Bureaus

Your FICO score is called different things at different credit bureaus. At Equifax, it’s your BEACON score. Experian has an Experian/Fair Isaac Risk Model. TransUnion’s score is called EMPIRICA.

If you purchase your score directly from a credit bureau, 2 out of 3 bureaus will give you their own version of the credit score. TransUnion.com or Truecredit.com sells a TransRisk score that ranges from 300 to 850. Experian.com has a PLUS score. Equifax.com is the only one of the three credit bureaus that sells a FICO score to consumers through its website.

VantageScore

The VantageScore was developed by the three credit bureaus and ranges from 501 to 990, with higher scores being better. The score looks mostly at data from the past 24 months and eliminates authorized user accounts. The scores have A - F grade levels that can help lenders easily gauge a consumer’s credit risk.

A score of 901-990 is an A, 801-900 = B, 701-800 = C, 601-700=D, 501-600=F.

The VantageScore is sold directly through the VantageScore.com website and by Experian.com.

Proprietary Scores

Many banks have their own in-house credit scoring models and don’t use any of the above-mentioned credit scores. These scores are typically used internally only and aren’t available for consumer purchase. The only way to see the number a lender is using to evaluate you is to ask them for it after you apply for a loan or credit card (though they may or may not comply with your request). You can read more about Consumer vs. Lender Credit Scores here.