How to Compare a TransUnion FICO Credit Score

TransUnion documents a consumer's Vantage Score, whereas the Fair Issac Corporation, or FICO, documents a consumer's FICO Score. Both scores are calculated using a unique formula comprised of a number of factors that relate to the use of credit and credit history. Compare your TransUnion and FICO scores to better understand why these two score will almost certainly differ.

Instructions

1

Factor in how your payment history affects both your TransUnion and FICO scores respectively. Your payment history makes up 32 percent of your TransUnion Vantage Score and 35 percent of your FICO Score. Payment history relates to how often you pay your credit card balance on time.

2

Compare the utilization rate between TransUnion and FICO scores. TransUnion scores utilization rate at 23 percent, whereas FICO scores it at 15 percent. Ideally, a utilization rate should never increase beyond 30 percent of your credit limit.

3

Learn how owing a balance has a greater effect on a TransUnion Vantage Score than on a FICO Score. TransUnion scores the balance owed on a credit card at 15 percent, whereas FICO scores it at 30 percent. Look for a lower rate on your FICO score if you owe a high balance coupled with a high utilization rate, which is common. A high balance coupled with a high utilization rate will account for 38 percent of your TransUnion Vantage Score and 45 percent of your FICO Score.

4

Analyze the small difference in how TransUnion and FICO score the types of credit you own and the new credit you receive. There is only a 3 percent difference in how TransUnion scores the types of credit you own and how FICO scores it. Both companies score new credit exactly the same, at 10 percent of your overall score.

5

Look for one small different between a TransUnion Score and a FICO Score. The TransUnion Score takes your available credit into account when calculating your final score, meaning if you max out a credit card, your TransUnion score will drop slightly. The amount of available credit that you have counts for 7 percent of your TransUnion Score.