Young woman with credit card. “Exceptional.” Depending on one’s frame of mind, the word may conjure up anything from a mint condition rookie card to possibly being asked, again, to stay after class.

Your credit score isn’t just a number. It’s a financial gatekeeper. It tells lenders how risky—or reliable—you are when it comes to managing debt. Whether you’re applying for a mortgage, credit card, ...

The average U.S. credit score is 715, according to FICO's Score Credit Insights, which examined data from April 2025. That's still in the "good" range, but it represents a two-point drop ...