Who Has a 378 Credit Score?

While age is not a direct factor in credit score calculations, there is a clear trend of scores improving over time. According to Experian data, here is how average FICO scores broke down by generation in 2023:

• 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 378 Credit Score

A credit score of 378 is considered very poor, placing you in the lowest range of creditworthiness. Consequently, you'll find it extremely challenging to get approved for traditional unsecured credit cards, as lenders view this score as a significant risk. Your options will likely be limited to secured credit cards that require a cash deposit or certain subprime cards designed for rebuilding credit, which often come with high fees and interest rates.

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Kudos can help you find a card that fits your financial situation with its AI-powered Explore Tool, which uses your preferences to generate personalized recommendations. By searching its database of nearly 3,000 cards, the tool helps you compare suitable options and make an informed decision for rebuilding your credit.

Auto Loans and a 378 Credit Score

A 378 credit score falls into the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan challenging. While approval may still be possible, you should expect to face significantly higher interest rates and less favorable loan terms.
Based on a 2025 rate analysis, here are the average interest rates for different credit score brackets:

• 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 378 Credit Score

With a 378 credit score, qualifying for a traditional mortgage is extremely unlikely. Most loan programs have minimum score requirements that are significantly higher; conventional loans typically start at 620, while FHA loans require at least a 500. A score of 378 falls well below these thresholds, making your options extremely limited. While some specialty subprime lenders may exist, approval is highly improbable for any mainstream mortgage product.

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If you were to find a lender, a 378 score would lead to very unfavorable terms. You would face substantially higher interest rates, larger down payment requirements, and additional fees. Lenders would also likely cap the loan amount, limiting your purchasing power, and subject your application to intense manual underwriting. The chances of denial are very high, and securing a loan would be a significant challenge.

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 378 Credit Score

While a 378 credit score is considered very poor, it is absolutely possible to improve it with consistent, positive financial habits. There are several proven methods you can use to start rebuilding your credit and see meaningful changes within a few months.

• Monitor your credit reports. You can get free reports from all three major bureaus to check for any errors or signs of fraud. Correcting inaccuracies is one of the fastest ways to see an improvement, which is critical when starting with a very poor score.
• Establish automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the single most important factor in your score, so making on-time payments is essential. Setting up automatic payments helps build the positive history needed to move away from a very poor credit rating.
• Reduce your credit utilization. This ratio measures how much of your available credit you are using, and keeping it low shows you can manage debt responsibly. Paying down balances demonstrates responsible behavior and can significantly lift a score that is weighed down by high debt.
• Become an authorized user. If you have a trusted friend or family member with a strong credit history, being added to their account can help your score. Their positive payment history and low credit utilization will appear on your report, giving your score a much-needed boost.

To help manage your cards and track your progress on this journey, consider using a financial companion like Kudos.