September 29, 2023
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Along with a generous rewards rate and sign-up bonus for students, the Discover it® Student Cash Back comes with a $0 annual fee and intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
As if college exams and the post-graduation job hunt aren’t enough to think about while you’re a college student, there’s another thing that should be on your radar — building a great credit score. Fortunately, student credit cards make it possible to build credit when used responsibly, and possibly earn rewards and/or a sign-up bonus. Generally speaking, the best student credit cards come with no annual fee, easy credit requirements and rewards or perks you can actually use.
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Rewards rate: 5% cash back on rotating categories
5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers generous rewards — rare for a student credit card — and a $0 annual fee. It’s designed for students looking to establish and build their credit through responsible card usage, so you won’t even need a credit score to apply. Students can also track their credit progress with Discover’s free Credit Scorecard tool.
There’s also a unique sign-up bonus for new cardmembers: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
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Sign-up bonus: $200
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
When you’re a college student, it’s a good idea to get a head start on building a positive credit history. A $0 annual fee student card, like the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, can help you do that while earning you rewards. Along with a good cash back rate in popular spending categories, cardholders can earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
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Rewards rate: 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good credit card for students, especially those who want to build credit and take advantage of a simple cash back program from a card with a $0 annual fee. Cardholders earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
As for foreign transaction fees, there are none — making this card is also ideal for students who plan to travel overseas as part of their studies or during school breaks.
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Intro APR: 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers
10.99% Intro APR for 6 months on balance transfers, then a 28.24% Variable APR applies.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card has a $0 annual fee and, unlike many secured credit cards, it offers cash back rewards. This can be especially helpful for saving some cash during college. It’s a good option for anyone looking to build credit — including college students.
It’s a secured card, which means you’ll have to put down a security deposit of at least $200 that acts as your credit limit. However, Discover offers automatic account reviews starting at seven months to see if you qualify to graduate to an unsecured credit card. If you keep your account in good standing, you could potentially have your deposit refunded in less than a year.
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Sign-up bonus: 25,000 bonus points
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students has many of the same benefits of its nonstudent version, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card. It has a generous sign-up bonus of 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Its $0 annual fee, long intro APR and elevated rewards rate make this an excellent choice for college students traveling or studying abroad. Plus, you won’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees, as there are none.
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Rewards rate: 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
Earn 3% Cash Back on dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 3% Cash Back on popular streaming services and entertainment; 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases.
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a $0-annual-fee card that offers a high rewards rate on dining, entertainment and groceries — all likely common spending categories for students.
Cardholders earn 3% Cash Back on dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 3% Cash Back on popular streaming services and entertainment; 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases.
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Sign-up bonus: Unlimited cash back match
Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
For students looking to earn an elevated cash back rate on gas purchases, the Discover it® Student Chrome could be a good fit. You can earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically.
Plus, like other Discover cards, the Discover it® Student Chrome matches your rewards at the end of the first year for new cardholders, making it an especially good deal in the first year.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Welcome Offer | Rewards Rate | Recommended Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Winner
|
Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. | 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically | Fair/Limited |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Apply Now
on Bank Of America's secure site |
Customized rewards
|
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening | 3% cash back in the category of your choice - now with expanded categories, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases. | Excellent/Good |
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on Bank Of America's secure site |
|
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Flat-rate cash back rewards
|
Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months | 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day; 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) | Fair/Limited |
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on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Secured credit card
|
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. | 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically | Poor/Limited |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
|
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Apply Now
on Bank Of America's secure site |
Travel rewards
|
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases | 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases | Excellent/Good |
Apply Now
on Bank Of America's secure site |
|
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Dining, entertainment and groceries
|
Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months | 3% Cash Back on dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®); 3% Cash Back on popular streaming services and entertainment; 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; 1% Cash Back on all other purchases | Fair/Limited |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
Discover it® Chrome
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Gas rewards
|
Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match. | 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically | Excellent/Good |
Apply Now
on Discover's secure site Rates & Fees |
Student credit cards are specifically designed to help college students with limited credit history or no credit history build credit. They’re easier for students to qualify for — otherwise, they work like regular credit cards. Note that requirements for student credit cards vary by issuer. For example, some cards for students let you apply and get approved with no credit score, whereas others require a credit history and a credit score in the “fair” range.
Many student credit cards also require you to prove you’re enrolled in an institution of higher education — or at least that you plan to enroll. According to Capital One, for example, students count as someone “currently enrolled, or admitted and planning to enroll in the next three months, at an accredited university, community college or other higher education institution.”
As you compare the best credit cards for students, you’ll notice that they can come in a variety of forms. In addition to cash back credit cards for students, you’ll find travel credit cards designed for students, as well as cards that have intro APR offers for purchases, balance transfers or both.
There are a few key differences between student credit cards and typical credit cards that aren’t targeted at college students. Student credit cards are typically issued with lower credit limits and have easier approval odds than credit cards marketed to people with more extensive credit histories.
Since students generally have less experience managing credit products, card issuers tend to compensate for that risk by keeping credit limits low. Once you prove yourself more creditworthy — by paying on time every time and keeping your balance under control — you may be able to ask your issuer to upgrade you to another card. Or, you may be able to request a credit limit increase on your existing card or apply for a new card altogether.
| Student credit cards | Regular credit cards |
|---|---|
Available to students with no/limited credit history Helps students build credit Typically have no annual fees Limited rewards and perks Low sign-up bonuses, if any | More valuable rewards rates and sign-up bonuses Can offer other premium perks, like travel credits Can have higher annual fees Usually require good or excellent credit scores |
The best credit cards for college students have several elements in common, including the following:
As you look for the right student credit card for your needs, you will want to think over the perks and features you want the most, as well as the type of rewards you want to earn.
If you want to earn cash back with an intro APR offer for purchases, for example, the Discover it® Student Cash Back or the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students may suit your needs best. On the other hand, if you want rewards you can redeem specifically for travel, take a close look at the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students.
It can be intimidating to apply for your first credit card as a student. You may be wondering how you can qualify for a credit card with little to no credit history. Luckily, student credit cards are geared for applicants with limited credit, so they’re easier to get approved for. Plus, you can boost your odds even more by building your credit before you apply. You can try applying for a credit card for people with limited or no credit history first, or becoming an authorized user on a friend or family member’s credit card.
It’s also helpful to have an income while you’re in college — this can boost your chances of being approved, even with a limited credit history.
After deciding which card is best for you, you can follow these steps to apply for a student credit card and start your credit journey.
Using a student credit card to build credit isn’t rocket science, but you’ll want to make sure you avoid the common pitfalls people new to credit typically run into. The following steps can help you build credit as you maximize rewards and benefits with your student credit card.
Pay your bill on time each month
When it comes to factors that make up your credit score, your payment history has the biggest impact. In terms of FICO credit scores — the type of scores used by 90% of top lenders when making lending decisions — your payment history makes up 35%.
With this in mind, you’ll want to make sure all your bills are paid early or on time each month. Taking this important step can help you build credit in the most efficient way, and it can help you avoid dings on your score due to late payments.
Don't charge more than you can afford to pay
When you’re first starting out with a student credit card, it can be tempting to spend money without worrying about how you’ll pay it back. However, it’s always best to start small with credit and only charge purchases you can afford to pay off right away.
This will help you build positive credit habits that you’ll need later in life. Of course, there may be situations that come up where you can’t afford to pay your balance in full. In that case, you should strive to pay off as much as you can, or the minimum payment you owe at the very least.
Stay well below your credit limit
The second most important factor that makes up your FICO Score is the amounts you owe in relation to your credit limit, known as your credit utilization ratio. Generally speaking, it’s always best to keep your utilization below 30% of your available credit. For example, if you have a credit limit of $1,000, you should keep your balance under $300.
Check your credit score frequently
Check your credit score for free at LendingTree. You can do so without getting a hard inquiry on your credit report, just by sharing information like your name, your address and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
In addition, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the three major credit bureaus to provide individuals with a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com (available weekly). Plus, you’ll receive one any time that a company takes adverse action against you, such as rejecting you for a credit card or loan.
If a student credit card isn’t ideal for your situation, you should know that there are several alternatives to consider. The following options can help you build credit in lieu of a student credit card.
Secured credit card
If you have poor credit or no credit, a secured credit card can help you turn your situation around. While secured credit cards require a security deposit to secure your line of credit, they report your credit movements to the three credit bureaus in order to help you boost your score.
Many secured credit cards also offer rewards for spending with no annual fee, and you can get your security deposit back when you close or upgrade your account in good standing.
Become an authorized user
You can also see about becoming an authorized user on another person’s credit card, like a parent or another trusted family member. This step can help you piggyback off the good credit and responsible use of the primary cardholder.
Just remember that there are risks involved in becoming an authorized user, as well as for the primary account holder who is ultimately responsible for repayment.
Store credit cards
Store credit cards from retailers, like Lowe’s and Kohl’s, can also help you build credit, and they tend to be easier to qualify for than traditional credit cards. The downside of store cards, however, is the fact you can only use them within a single store or certain store brands.
That said, some store cards (like the Prime Visa from Amazon) are offered by card networks like Visa and Mastercard, so you can use this kind of store card nearly anywhere. Still, store cards that work on major credit card networks are also often more difficult to qualify for.
Debit card
If you just want a way to make purchases without using cash, you can also use a debit card that’s connected to your bank account. But keep in mind — debit card usage won’t help build your credit credit score.
Many of the cards listed in this article are fine choices for your first credit card. For more options, see our list of best credit cards for beginners.
Be aware that no card offers a guaranteed approval. When you apply, the issuer will consider a variety of factors, including your income, how much debt you’re carrying and your credit score.
Legally, you’ll need to be 18 years old and have a source of income to be able to qualify for a credit card. For college students who meet these requirements, a credit card can be a useful tool to build credit — which’ll be important after graduation for renting an apartment, getting a car loan and even for some job applications.
Student cards are unsecured cards geared toward applicants who are college students. Secured cards are available to any applicant (college student or otherwise) and require you to submit a security deposit to the credit card issuer, protecting them in case you don’t pay back what you charge to the card. Typically, the amount of your security deposit will become your credit limit.
While the credit cards with the best benefits and rewards typically require good or excellent credit history, there are cards for people with no credit.
Cards designed for college students, like the cards listed in this article, are a good place to start.
Depending on the issuer, you may be able to continue using your student credit card after you graduate — some issuers may even automatically upgrade you to the nonstudent version of your card. For example, Discover lets you keep many of the benefits from your student credit card after graduation; however, your card will be reclassified as a nonstudent card.
That said, you should consider looking at other credit cards once you have built up your credit score in the “good” range, or you have a FICO Score of 670 or higher. At that point, you have the potential to qualify for credit cards with better rewards and perks.
Generally speaking, you cannot pay federal student loans with a credit card. However, it may be possible to make payments toward private student loans with a credit card if the company allows it.
Many student credit cards do let you get prequalified online, which can help you gauge your approval odds before you begin applying for a credit card. For example, one of our best credit cards for college students — the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card — lets applicants get prequalified before they apply.
To determine the best student credit cards, we considered rewards programs, sign-up bonuses, and accessibility for students with no credit or limited credit histories.
All of the cards on this list are aimed at college students and can help cardholders built credit history (assuming your account is tied to your Social Security number), and none charge an annual fee.
Finally, any useful features a card might have — such as cellphone protection — was factored in as well.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The information related to the Prime Visa has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
