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717 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025
TL;DR
A 717 credit score is a strong score that can unlock favorable terms on loans and credit cards. This number places you squarely in the "Good" category on the FICO scoring model, signaling to lenders that you are a responsible borrower.
What Does a 717 Credit Score Mean?
A FICO score of 717 places you firmly in the "good" credit range, which typically spans from 670 to 739. Lenders generally see borrowers in this category as dependable, meaning you'll likely qualify for a wide array of loans and credit cards. This score often unlocks competitive interest rates and favorable terms, opening the door to significant financial opportunities without the hurdles faced by those with lower scores.
Think of a 717 score as a solid financial launchpad. While it already provides access to many credit products, it's also just a stone's throw from the "very good" tier (740-799). With continued positive financial habits, moving into higher score ranges is an achievable goal. Reaching that next level can unlock even better terms and the most premium rates offered by lenders, further improving your financial standing.
Who Has a 717 Credit Score?
- 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
This data, from a 2023 Experian study, shows a clear trend: average credit scores tend to rise steadily with each generation.
Credit Cards With a 717 Credit Score
A 717 credit score puts you in a good position to qualify for a wide range of credit cards. Lenders generally view this score favorably, often leading to approvals for cards with competitive interest rates and solid rewards programs. While the most exclusive, premium cards might still be just out of reach, you'll have access to many excellent options that can help you continue to build your credit history.
To find the best card for your specific financial situation, a service like Kudos can help by using its Dream Wallet tool to analyze your spending habits and provide personalized recommendations. The platform also offers insights into how a new card might impact your credit score and lets you compare options from a database of nearly 3,000 cards.
Auto Loans and a 717 Credit Score
A 717 credit score places you in the prime borrower category, making you a strong candidate for an auto loan with competitive interest rates. While you can expect favorable terms, your rates won't be quite as low as those offered to borrowers in the top-tier, super-prime bracket.
- 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 717 Credit Score
With a 717 credit score, you are in a strong position to buy a home. This score is considered good and generally qualifies you for all major mortgage types, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, and even most jumbo loans. According to mortgage guidelines, lenders view a score in the 700s favorably, which increases your chances of a smooth approval process.
Your 717 score will also positively impact your loan terms. You can expect to secure a more competitive interest rate than borrowers with scores in the 600s. A good credit score can also lead to lower private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums on conventional loans and give you access to a wider variety of loan products, sometimes with special incentives from lenders.
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 717 Credit Score
Improving your credit score is always possible through consistent, positive financial behaviors, and there are proven methods to boost your creditworthiness. With a 717 score, you have a solid foundation, and a few strategic moves can help you reach the next level.
- Monitor your credit reports regularly. This allows you to identify and dispute any inaccuracies or fraudulent activity that could be dragging down your score. Ensuring your report is accurate helps your 717 score reflect only correct information.
- Establish automatic bill payments. On-time payments are the most significant factor in your score, and automation helps you avoid missing one. Even a single late payment can cause a significant drop to a 717 score.
- Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Keeping your credit usage below 30% is crucial, as it's the second-largest factor in your score. For a 717 score, lowering utilization can be the key to pushing you into the "very good" or "excellent" range.
- Become an authorized user. Being added to an account with a long, positive history can add that account's good standing to your own report. This can boost a 717 score by increasing your average account age and lowering your overall utilization.
Using a financial companion tool like Kudos can help you manage your cards and monitor your score to reach your goals.
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