RAP vs IBR Calculator: Compare Both Payments at Once
Enter your income, family size, and loan details once. This calculator runs both the RAP and new IBR formulas at the same time and shows your monthly payment on each side by side.
Count yourself, spouse if filing jointly, and dependents.
How each side of this calculator works
RAP charges 1% to 10% of your total AGI, depending on which income bracket you fall into, minus $50 per month per dependent, with a $10 minimum payment. New IBR charges 10% of your discretionary income, which is AGI minus 150% of the federal poverty guideline for your family size, capped at whatever the standard 10-year plan would charge on your balance.
What the numbers usually show
At lower and middle incomes, RAP usually comes out cheaper per month because it lacks IBR's poverty-line exclusion advantage at low income but benefits from the low starting percentage (1% to 4%) that IBR does not have. At higher incomes with a smaller loan balance, IBR's payment cap can make it cheaper, since RAP has no cap and keeps charging a rising percentage of your full AGI. See the full written comparison for the forgiveness timeline tradeoff (20-25 years for IBR vs 30 for RAP) that a monthly payment number alone does not capture.
If you are chasing PSLF
For Public Service Loan Forgiveness, the lower monthly payment usually wins regardless of forgiveness timeline, since PSLF forgives the balance after 120 qualifying payments no matter which income-driven plan you used. Run both numbers here, then read whether RAP qualifies for PSLF and use the PSLF forgiveness estimator to see your full timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, RAP or IBR?
It depends on your income, family size, and loan balance. This calculator runs both formulas on your exact numbers so you do not have to guess. In general, RAP wins at lower and middle incomes and IBR can win at higher incomes with smaller balances, thanks to its payment cap.
Can I switch between RAP and IBR later?
Yes. You can change plans at studentaid.gov/idr at any time. Qualifying payments carry over between income-driven plans for PSLF purposes.
Does this calculator use the 2026 poverty guidelines?
Yes. The IBR side of this calculator applies the 2026 federal poverty guidelines for the continental United States automatically based on your family size.
Is the result from this calculator official?
No. This is an estimate for planning purposes. Your loan servicer's calculation is what actually controls your payment. Confirm your exact numbers at studentaid.gov before choosing a plan.