<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0609</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2026-06-04</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001593538</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NAVIENT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NAVI</issuerTradingSymbol>
        <issuerForeignTradingSymbol></issuerForeignTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001516604</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ARNOLD FREDERICK</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>false</rptOwnerNonUSAddressFlag>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>13865 SUNRISE VALLEY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HERNDON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>20171</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <aff10b5One>0</aff10b5One>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2026-06-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>18018</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.77</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>98885.256</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents a grant of restricted stock to a non-employee director under the Navient Corporation 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The restrictions lift on a quarterly basis subject to continued active service on the Navient Board of Directors as follows: 25% on the grant date (June 4, 2026); 25% on August 1, 2026; 25% on November 1, 2026; and 25% on February 1, 2027.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Dividend equivalent rights (186.324 units) issued on previously unvested restricted are included in the reporting person's common stock holding balance.  Each dividend equivalent right is the economic equivalent of one share of Navient Corporation common stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Matthew Sheldon (POA) for Frederick Arnold</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2026-06-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
