Is a 736 Credit Score Good? A Detailed Look at What This Score Means

Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life. It gives lenders a quick snapshot of your creditworthiness and can determine whether you get approved for credit and what interest rates you pay. So is a credit score of 736 good? Let’s take a detailed look.

What Does a 736 Credit Score Mean?

A 736 credit score is considered good by both FICO and VantageScore, the two most commonly used scoring models

FICO scores range from 300 to 850. The FICO model says that credit is good if the score is between 670 and 739. You’ll probably be able to get credit and get good interest rates if you have good credit, but they might not be the lowest rates.

VantageScores also range from 300 to 850 A score between 700 to 750 is classified as good credit by VantageScore. This score range indicates to lenders that you are a well-qualified borrower

So while a 736 isn’t an exceptional credit score, it is solidly within the good credit tier with both scoring models. Compared to consumers with fair credit or bad credit, you’ll have much better chances of getting approved for loans and credit cards.

What Can You Get With a 736 Credit Score?

If your credit score is 736 or higher, you should be able to get most loans and credit cards, and you might even be able to get better rates and terms. Take a quick look at the types of credit you might be able to get:

• Credit cards: You’ll be able to get most credit cards, even rewards cards, and you may even be able to get premium travel rewards cards for people with good credit. You may also get cards with 0% intro APR offers.

• Auto loans – A 736 FICO score means you’ll likely get an auto loan with competitive interest rates. Shop around among lenders for the best deal.

• Mortgages: If your credit score is 736, you should be able to get a conventional mortgage. You’ll also meet FHA minimum score requirements. Look at different lenders’ rates and terms to get the best deal.

• Personal loans – Good approval odds for unsecured personal loans from online lenders, banks and credit unions. Interest rates will be based on your creditworthiness.

• Student loans – Federal student loans don’t require a credit check. You’ll also qualify for good rates on private student loans.

The higher your score, the more likely you’ll get the very best terms and lowest rates. But a 736 credit score means you’ll have access to a wide variety of credit options at competitive rates.

How Does a 736 Credit Score Compare?

Here’s how a 736 credit score stacks up against other scores:

• A 736 is slightly better than average – It’s well above the average FICO score of 714 and average VantageScore of 688. So you have better credit than many Americans.

• A 736 is a very good FICO score – It’s near the top of the “good” tier in the FICO model. 45% of people have a lower FICO score than 736.

• A 736 is a good VantageScore – Your score is in the middle of the “good” credit tier according to VantageScore. Many lenders use one of these two models.

• A 736 is not excellent – You’re just below the “very good” tier for FICO (740-799) and the “excellent” tier for VantageScore (751-850). Raising your score could qualify you for even better credit terms.

While not perfect, a credit score of 736 means your credit is well above average and you manage credit responsibly. A 736 is considered good credit by lenders and means you have access to a wide variety of credit at competitive rates.

How to Raise Your 736 Credit Score

Here are some tips for improving your credit score from 736 to an excellent score over 750:

• Lower credit utilization – Keep balances low on credit cards and other revolving credit under 30% of your credit limit.

• Pay bills on time – Payment history is the biggest factor in your scores. Pay all bills by the due date.

• Limit hard inquiries – Each application for credit results in a hard inquiry, which temporarily dings your score a few points. Apply only for credit you need.

• Grow credit history – The length of your credit history accounts for 15% of your FICO score. Let your accounts age while using credit responsibly.

• Diversify credit mix – Have a variety of installment loans (mortgages, auto, student loans) and revolving accounts (credit cards) to show you can manage different types of credit.

With diligent credit management over time, you can nudge your credit score up into the “very good” or “exceptional” ranges. Aim to adopt long-term habits that build your credit rather than temporary quick fixes.

Is a 736 Credit Score Good or Bad?

Given that a 736 credit score is solidly within the “good” credit tier, it is definitively a good credit score. Here are some quick pros and cons:

The Pros

• Qualifies you for wide variety of credit at competitive rates
• Acceptable to most lenders for loans and credit cards
• Better terms than with fair or bad credit
• Better chance for approval compared to lower scores

The Cons

• Not high enough for the very best rates and terms
• Interest rates may be higher than with excellent credit
• Less likely to get big credit limits or premium rewards cards

Overall, a 736 credit score indicates to lenders that you manage credit responsibly and are a well-qualified borrower. A few tweaks to your credit habits can bump your score into the very good or exceptional ranges over time. But your current 736 score gives you access to plenty of affordable credit.

The Takeaway

A FICO or VantageScore of 736 is considered good credit. This credit score makes you eligible for most loans and credit cards at competitive interest rates compared to people with lower scores. It’s just shy of the tier for the very best borrowers who get elite credit offers. While not perfect, a 736 credit score demonstrates that you use credit wisely. With diligent money management, you can improve your 736 score to excellent over time and qualify for even better credit terms.