Best student loan refinance lenders for physicians (2026)
⚠ Read this before you refinance. Refinancing federal loans into a private loan permanently forfeits PSLF, income-driven forgiveness, and federal protections. For many physicians — especially those at nonprofit or government employers — refinancing is the wrong move and costs six figures. Check your free plan first → If our tool confirms refinancing is your cheapest path, then compare the lenders below.
Lender comparison
Rates and terms below are general and change frequently — they are not quotes. Every lender uses a soft credit check to show your real rate, which won't affect your credit score. Always compare your actual offers.
| Lender | Typical terms | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoFi | 5–20 yr · fixed & variable · member benefits | Physicians wanting member perks & career resources | Check rate → |
| Earnest | 5–20 yr · flexible payment options · skip-a-payment feature | Borrowers wanting customizable terms | Compare directly |
| ELFI | 5–20 yr · no max loan amount · dedicated advisor | Large medical-school balances | Compare directly |
| Laurel Road | 5–20 yr · physician-specific programs · residency $100/mo option | Residents & fellows still in training | Compare directly |
| Splash Financial | Marketplace · matches you to multiple lenders | Comparison shoppers wanting one application | Compare directly |
| Credible | Marketplace · compare multiple real offers at once | Seeing several quotes side-by-side | Compare directly |
Advertising disclosure: some lenders pay AttendingFi a referral fee. It never affects our recommendation — our calculator tells PSLF candidates not to refinance even though we earn nothing in that case. See how we're paid.
How to choose a refinance term
Once you've confirmed refinancing is right for you, the biggest lever is the term length: pick the shortest term whose monthly payment you can comfortably afford. Shorter terms carry lower rates and far less total interest. Get quotes from two or three lenders (all soft-pull) and compare the real numbers — not the advertised "as low as" rate.
Not sure if you should refinance at all?
That's the right question. Run your numbers free and we'll tell you whether refinancing actually beats PSLF or an income-driven plan for you — before you give up federal protections you can't get back.
Check my best plan free →Educational estimates, not financial advice. Lender terms change frequently and are not quotes. Verify current rates directly with each lender. See our disclosures.