651 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025

Who Has a 651 Credit Score?

According to 2023 Experian data, average credit scores tend to rise with each generation. The breakdown by age group 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
• Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760

Credit Cards With a 651 Credit Score

A credit score of 651 places you in the "fair" credit range, which is a common starting point for many people looking to build or rebuild their credit history. While you can certainly qualify for a credit card with this score, your options may be more limited to cards specifically designed for this credit tier, such as secured cards or basic unsecured cards. Lenders view this score as indicating a moderate level of risk, so you might be offered lower credit limits and higher interest rates until you establish a longer track record of responsible use.

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Kudos's Explore Tool helps you sift through thousands of options by asking what you're looking for in a card, whether it's low interest rates or specific rewards. This personalized approach ensures you receive recommendations tailored to your financial profile, helping you find a card that fits your needs without the guesswork.

Auto Loans and a 651 Credit Score

A 651 credit score places you in the non-prime borrower category, meaning you can likely get approved for an auto loan but will not qualify for the best rates. Lenders will view your score as carrying more risk, resulting in higher interest charges over the loan's term compared to applicants with better credit.

According to a 2025 market analysis, here are the average auto loan interest rates broken down by credit score:

• 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 651 Credit Score

With a 651 credit score, you can qualify for several major mortgage types. This score generally meets the minimum requirements for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans, giving you multiple pathways to homeownership. However, you likely won't be eligible for jumbo loans, which typically require a score of 700 or higher.

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While you can get approved, your score will impact the loan's cost. Lenders consider a 651 score moderate risk, so you'll be offered higher interest rates than applicants with scores in the 700s. This results in a higher monthly payment and more interest paid over the life of the loan. You may also face higher private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums.

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 financial habits. Here are the most common factors that determine your score:

• Your history of making payments on time is the most significant factor.
• The amount of your available credit that you're currently using, known as your credit utilization ratio, plays a major role.
• How long you've had your credit accounts open contributes to the length of your credit history.
• Lenders like to see that you can responsibly manage a variety of credit types, 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 651 Credit Score

Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial life, but the good news is that it's not set in stone. With consistent effort and the right strategies, it is always possible to improve your creditworthiness.

• Monitor Your Credit Reports. Regularly checking your reports helps you spot and dispute inaccuracies that could be unfairly dragging down your score. For someone with a 651 score, correcting even a single error can provide a meaningful and relatively quick boost.
• Make On-Time Payments. Since payment history is the single most important factor in your score, setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date. Establishing a consistent record of on-time payments is fundamental to moving from a fair score into the good or excellent ranges.
• Lower Your Credit Utilization. Your credit utilization ratio—how much credit you're using versus your total limit—is a key indicator of risk to lenders. Keeping this ratio below 30% shows you can manage credit responsibly, which can significantly improve a 651 score.
• Address Collection Accounts. If you have accounts in collections, negotiating a settlement can remove a major negative item from your report. Resolving these accounts is a critical step to repair your credit history and build a stronger financial foundation.

For help using your credit cards more strategically as you build your score, check out the tools offered by Kudos.