This map shows the average credit score by state. Where does yours rank?

The average FICO credit score across America was 714 in 2025, according to the Spring 2026 FICO® Score Credit Insights. That’s down just a single point from a year ago, largely due to the return of student loan payments and credit reporting.

The nation’s overall credit health is still relatively strong, with almost half (48.1%) of consumers having a credit score of 750 or higher. CNBC Select takes a look at the average FICO Score of each state, and some tips for you if you’re looking to raise your own score.

A high credit score qualifies you for the best interest rates and terms on everything from credit cards to mortgages. FICO Scores are used in over 90% of U.S. lending decisions, making them a must-know number before applying for any financial product.

FICO Scores are broken up into five categories that help lenders gauge your ability to repay loans. Here are the credit score ranges for each category:

Those with higher FICO Scores are generally more likely to get approved for the financial tool they’re applying for and will often receive more favorable terms, like lower rates and APRs.

1. Payment history (35%): Whether you’ve paid past credit accounts on time.
2. Amounts owed (30%): The total amount of credit and loans you’re using compared to your total credit limit, also known as your credit utilization rate.
3. Length of credit history (15%): The length of time you’ve had credit.
4. New credit (10%): How often you apply for and open new accounts.
5. Credit mix (10%): The variety of credit products you have, including credit cards, installment loans, finance company accounts, mortgage loans and so on.

*Experian Boost® is a free feature from Experian that lets you get credit for positive, on-time utility, phone and streaming subscription payments. Late payments aren’t reported with Experian Boost, though your creditors typically notify the credit bureaus when a payment is late for 30 or more days. Customers who used Experian Boost to raise their credit score saw an average increase of 13 points.

0% APR credit cards

If credit card debt is the reason your score is a little lower, consider moving it to a 0% APR card to avoid interest payments. For instance, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card comes with a 21-month 0% intro APR on both purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then a 17.49%, 23.99% or 28.24% variable APR applies).

While there’s a balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount ($5 minimum), pausing your interest payments if you have an APR of 20% or higher could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the course of your repayment.

A credit repair company can help get inaccurate or outdated negative marks removed from your credit reports. While this is something you can do yourself, it’s often time-consuming and can be somewhat complex, especially depending on your specific debt situation.

If you’re looking to keep your costs down, The Credit People offers three tiers of services and a setup fee that starts at just $19. Even the most basic package includes unlimited challenges to all three credit bureaus, and the company offers a satisfaction guarantee, which allows you to cancel at any time and not be charged for that month’s services.

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