Marcus vs Sallie Mae CD Rates (November 2026)

On a 1-year CD, $10,000 earns $20.00 more at Sallie Mae than at Marcus. The full term-by-term breakdown is below.

Marcus rates checked Nov 7, 2026Sallie Mae rates checked Nov 7, 2026FDIC / FDIC insured

Updated Nov 7, 2026

The verdict: Marcus vs Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae pays the higher APY on 5 of the 7 terms both banks offer for a $10,000 deposit. Marcus leads on 2.

At the headline 1 year term, Sallie Mae pays 4.60% APY against 4.40% at Marcus, a $20.00 difference on $10,000. Each bank's best offer right now: Marcus pays up to 4.40% (1 year) and Sallie Mae up to 5.00% (5 years).

The rate is only half the decision. Marcus and Sallie Mae charge different penalties if you break the CD early — compared below — and Both are federally insured up to $250,000 per depositor, so safety is equal under the limit.

Marcus vs Sallie Mae CD rates by term

Best APY a $10,000 deposit can open at each bank, for every term either bank lists. A dash means the bank has no fundable offer at that term and deposit; we leave it blank rather than guess. "Rel." marks a relationship rate that needs a linked account.

Marcus and Sallie Mae CD rates by term for a $10,000 deposit
Term	Marcus	Sallie Mae	Better pick
6 months	3.95%	3.20%	Marcus
9 months	4.30%	3.20%	Marcus
11 months	–	4.10%	–
1 year	4.40%	4.60%	Sallie Mae
13 months	–	4.50%	–
15 months	–	4.65%	–
18 months	4.40%	4.65%	Sallie Mae
2 years	4.40%	4.70%	Sallie Mae
30 months	–	4.70%	–
3 years	4.40%	4.75%	Sallie Mae
4 years	4.40%	–	–
5 years	4.40%	5.00%	Sallie Mae
6 years	4.40%	–	–

Sources: Marcus CD rates (checked Nov 7, 2026) and Sallie Mae CD rates (checked Nov 7, 2026).

What $10,000 earns at each bank

Interest over the full term at the rates above, on the 7 terms both banks offer.

Interest earned on $10,000 at Marcus vs Sallie Mae, by term
Term	Marcus earns	Sallie Mae earns	Difference
6 months	$195.59 at 3.95%	$158.74 at 3.20%	Marcus +$36.85
9 months	$320.80 at 4.30%	$239.05 at 3.20%	Marcus +$81.74
1 year	$440.00 at 4.40%	$460.00 at 4.60%	Sallie Mae +$20.00
18 months	$667.21 at 4.40%	$705.55 at 4.65%	Sallie Mae +$38.34
2 years	$899.36 at 4.40%	$962.09 at 4.70%	Sallie Mae +$62.73
3 years	$1,378.93 at 4.40%	$1,493.76 at 4.75%	Sallie Mae +$114.83
5 years	$2,402.31 at 4.40%	$2,762.82 at 5.00%	Sallie Mae +$360.51

a 1-year CD earnings by deposit size

Balance tiers mean the APY can change with the deposit. This is what 1 year CDs pay at four deposit sizes.

1 year CD interest at Marcus vs Sallie Mae, by deposit size
Deposit	Marcus earns	Sallie Mae earns
$1,000	$44.00 at 4.40%	–
$10,000	$440.00 at 4.40%	$460.00 at 4.60%
$25,000	$1,100.00 at 4.40%	$1,150.00 at 4.60%
$100,000	$4,400.00 at 4.40%	$4,600.00 at 4.60%

A dash means that deposit does not qualify for the bank's 1 year offer (minimum opening deposit or a product cap).

Early withdrawal penalties compared

Marcus and Sallie Mae early withdrawal penalties by term
Term	Marcus	Sallie Mae
1 year or less	90 days of interest	–
More than 1 year to 5 years	180 days of interest	–
More than 5 years	270 days of interest	–
12 months or less	–	90 days of interest
more than 12 months	–	180 days of interest

Example: break a 1-year $10,000 CD after 6 months and Marcus charges $106.18 (you keep $10,111.45) while Sallie Mae charges $110.90 (you keep $10,116.51). At Marcus the penalty can reach your principal. At Sallie Mae the penalty can reach your principal.

Rules verified against each bank's disclosure (Marcus: checked 2026-11-04; Sallie Mae: checked 2026-11-06). Model your own deposit and withdrawal date on the CD early withdrawal penalty calculator.

More CD comparisons

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Marcus vs Sallie Mae CD FAQs

Quick answers comparing Marcus and Sallie Mae CDs.

Which pays more, Marcus or Sallie Mae?

Sallie Mae pays the higher APY on 5 of the 7 terms both banks offer for a $10,000 deposit. Marcus leads on 2. On a 1-year CD, $10,000 earns $440.00 at Marcus (4.40%) and $460.00 at Sallie Mae (4.60%). Rates were checked Nov 7, 2026 for Marcus and Nov 7, 2026 for Sallie Mae and change often.

How much more does $10,000 earn at Sallie Mae over 1 year?

Sallie Mae pays $20.00 more interest than Marcus on a $10,000 1 year CD (4.60% vs 4.40% APY). Bigger deposits widen the gap at the same APY, though balance tiers can change the rate each bank pays.

Marcus or Sallie Mae: which is better for a 5-year CD?

Marcus pays 4.40% APY and Sallie Mae pays 5.00% APY on a 5-year term, so $10,000 earns $2,402.31 at Marcus and $2,762.82 at Sallie Mae — a $360.51 difference. Long terms lock the rate in, so the early withdrawal penalty matters more: Marcus charges 90 days of interest and Sallie Mae charges 90 days of interest on that term.

Which has the lower early withdrawal penalty, Marcus or Sallie Mae?

On a 1-year CD withdrawn after 6 months, Marcus's penalty is $106.18 and Sallie Mae's is $110.90, from rules verified against each bank's disclosure. Marcus: 1 year or less: 90 days of interest; More than 1 year to 5 years: 180 days of interest; More than 5 years: 270 days of interest. Sallie Mae: 12 months or less: 90 days of interest; more than 12 months: 180 days of interest. Model your own deposit and withdrawal date on the CD early withdrawal penalty calculator.

Are Marcus and Sallie Mae CDs insured?

Goldman Sachs Bank USA is FDIC-insured (certificate #33124) and Sallie Mae Bank is FDIC-insured (certificate #58177). Both cover deposits up to $250,000 per depositor, per institution, per ownership category, so a CD under that limit carries the same federal protection at either.

Are these the best CD rates available?

Not necessarily. The highest 1 year rate among the banks we track is 4.60% at Sallie Mae, versus 4.40% at Marcus and 4.60% at Sallie Mae. Check the CD rates by bank directory on the CD calculator page for the full list.

Sources and how we calculate

Rates come from each bank's own rate page (Marcus checked Nov 7, 2026, Sallie Mae checked Nov 7, 2026); penalty rules are verified against the banks' disclosures. Earnings grow the deposit at the APY, the same math the bank pages and calculators on this site use. Results are estimates, not an offer from either bank.

Figures last checked on Nov 7, 2026. Read our calculation methodology for data sources and update schedule.