v3.26.3
Earnings (Loss) per Common Share (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2026
Sep. 30, 2025
Sep. 30, 2026
Sep. 30, 2025
Numerator:        
Net income (loss) $ (32,261) $ 135,850 $ 334,218 $ 511,662
Preferred stock dividends 3,643 3,994 10,779 11,922
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation common stock (35,904) 131,856 323,439 499,740
Net income (loss) attributable to SLM Corporation common stock $ (35,904) $ 131,856 $ 323,439 $ 499,740
Denominator:        
Weighted average shares used to compute basic EPS (in shares) 185,566 207,144 189,831 209,023
Effect of dilutive securities:        
Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units, and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) (in shares) 0 3,463 2,280 3,899
Weighted average shares used to compute diluted EPS (in shares) 185,566 210,607 192,111 212,922
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share) $ (0.19) $ 0.64 $ 1.70 $ 2.39
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share) $ (0.19) $ 0.63 $ 1.68 $ 2.35
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (less than) (in shares) 5,000 1,000 1,000 1,000