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328 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025
TL;DR
A 328 credit score is a starting point with considerable room for growth toward your financial goals. This score is categorized in the "Poor" FICO range, highlighting a clear opportunity to begin building a more robust credit history.
What Does a 328 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 328 falls into the "poor" category on the FICO Score range, which spans from 300 to 850. This score is at the lowest end of the spectrum, signaling to lenders that you represent a very high credit risk. Lenders view a score like this as an indicator of past financial difficulties, making them hesitant to extend new credit.
Financially, a 328 score creates significant hurdles. You'll likely face rejections for new credit cards, loans, and mortgages. If you are approved, it will probably be for a low limit with extremely high interest rates and unfavorable terms. While challenging, understanding your score is the first step toward improving your financial future.
Who Has a 328 Credit Score?
While age isn't a direct factor in calculating your credit score, there is a clear correlation showing scores tend to improve over time. This is largely because older individuals have had more time to establish a longer credit history and a consistent record of on-time payments. Based on 2023 Experian data, the average FICO score increases with each successive generation:
- Ages 18-26 (Generation Z): 680
- Ages 27-42 (Millennials): 690
- Ages 43-58 (Generation X): 709
- Ages 59-77 (Baby Boomers): 745
- Ages 78+ (Silent Generation): 760
Credit Cards With a 328 Credit Score
A credit score of 328 is considered very poor, placing you in the lowest tier of creditworthiness and signaling significant risk to potential lenders. As a result, your chances of being approved for a conventional unsecured credit card are extremely low. Your most viable options will likely be limited to secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit as collateral.
Kudos can help you find a suitable card using its personalized recommendation tools, which match your preferences against a database of nearly 3,000 options. The platform also provides insights into how different cards may impact your credit score, helping you make a choice that aligns with your financial situation and goals.
Auto Loans and a 328 Credit Score
A 328 credit score places you in the deep subprime category, which makes getting approved for an auto loan very challenging. If you are approved, you will likely face the highest possible interest rates and the least favorable loan terms.
According to an analysis of 2025 rates, here is the breakdown of average interest rates by credit score bracket for 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 328 Credit Score
With a 328 credit score, qualifying for a traditional mortgage is extremely unlikely. According to mortgage requirements, even the most accessible government-backed loans have higher minimums. FHA loans, for example, require a score of at least 500 with a 10% down payment. Conventional loans typically start at a 620 minimum. While some non-prime lenders may exist for sub-580 scores, they are rare and have strict criteria.
A very low credit score significantly impacts loan eligibility and terms. Lenders view low scores as high risk, resulting in much higher interest rates and fees. This can add tens of thousands of dollars to the total cost of your home. You would also face larger down payment requirements and find your loan options severely limited, likely to only government-backed programs, if you qualify at all.
What's in a Credit Score?
Understanding your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, as it's a blend of several key financial habits. The most common factors that determine your score include:
- Your payment history tracks whether you have paid past credit accounts on time.
- Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you are currently using.
- The length of your credit history considers the age of your oldest account and the average age of all your accounts.
- Credit mix refers to the variety of credit products you have, such as credit cards, retail accounts, and loans.
- New credit inquiries and recently opened accounts can also temporarily impact your score.
How to Improve Your 328 Credit Score
Having a 328 credit score can feel limiting, but it is entirely possible to rebuild your financial standing. With consistent effort and the right proven methods, you can see meaningful improvements to your score in just a few months.
- Monitor your credit reports. This allows you to find and dispute any inaccuracies or signs of identity theft that could be unfairly damaging your score.
- Establish automatic bill payments. Since payment history is the most significant factor in your score, this is a simple way to ensure you build a positive record of on-time payments.
- Become an authorized user. By being added to the account of someone with a strong credit history, their responsible usage can help add positive data to your own credit file.
- Apply for a secured credit card. These cards are designed for building credit and report your payments to the major bureaus, creating a positive history when other credit is inaccessible.
To help manage your cards and track your progress, the Kudos browser extension can offer personalized recommendations and insights.
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