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If you’re a student without established credit, there are still plenty of credit cards that you can qualify for. Then, once you’ve improved your credit score by using a credit card responsibly, it can be easier to upgrade to more lucrative rewards credit cards.
Some of the larger banks offer credit cards that are specifically geared to students, and many don’t require a deposit like secured credit cards (although those are an option for young adults, too). The very best student credit cards offer rewards for your spending, along with welcome bonuses, travel and purchase protections, or incentives for paying on time.
Here are the top student credit cards to consider if you’re new to credit — but if you’ve already got a good credit score and a credit history under your belt, you may want to check out our guides to the best cash-back credit cards and best no-annual-fee credit cards as well.
We’re focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won’t be worth it if you’re paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it’s important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Best for bonus cash back in student-friendly categories: Capital One SavorOne Student Card
Best flat-rate cash back earning: Capital One Quicksilver Student Card
Best for choosing your own bonus category: Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students
Best flat-rate cash back with an intro 0% APR: Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards for Students
Best for travelers: Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students
Best for travel and purchase protection: Chase Freedom Student Card
Best for rotating bonus categories: Discover it Student Cash Back
Best rewards for gas and dining: Discover it Student Chrome
Best for international students: Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students
Best rewards for on-time payments: Capital One Journey Student Rewards
Best for building credit: Petal 2 Visa Credit Card
Compare the best student credit cards
Capital One SavorOne Student card
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great pick for students who spend a lot on dining, groceries, entertainment, and eligible streaming services. You’ll earn 3% cash back in these categories with no limits, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The card doesn’t normally offer a welcome bonus, but for a limited time, you can earn a Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. That’s a low minimum spending requirement that most students can easily reach.
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card also offers very good benefits for a no-annual-fee student card, including:
Price protection***Extended warranty***Car rental coverage***Roadside dispatch***Travel accident insurance***Complimentary concierge services
Read our Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards card review for more info.
Capital One Quicksilver Student card
If you’re a student with no time to keep track of bonus categories and prefer straightforward cash back on all your purchases, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good choice. For a limited time, the welcome offer is Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card.
With this card, you can earn a lot of cash back quickly — all eligible purchases earn 1.5% back, with no caps. It also comes with benefits you don’t often find on student credit cards, including:
Price protection***Extended warranty***Car rental coverage***Roadside dispatch***Travel accident insurance***Complimentary concierge services
See our review of the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards card to learn more.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Student card
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students offers one of the most generous welcome bonuses of any student credit card. Like its grown-up equivalent (the Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card), new cardholders can earn a Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students.
The card’s other compelling feature is the ability to customize the category in which you earn the most rewards. You can choose to earn 3% back on gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings on up to $2,500 in spending (combined with the 2% categories of groceries and wholesale clubs, then 1%) each quarter, and you can change your 3% category selection once per month.
New cardholders receive a Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students (then a Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students APR). That’s handy if you’ve got a lot of upfront expenses you need to pay off over time, like dorm decor or textbooks — but be sure you have a plan and means to pay off the balance before the intro 0% APR period expires.
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Student card
For those who prefer the simplicity of not having to keep track of bonus categories, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is a strong choice. Along with a welcome bonus offer of Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, this card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no caps.
New cardholders can also take advantage of an excellent Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, followed by a Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students APR. Whether you need to pay off your school supplies over time or are looking to splurge on a spring break trip, having a period of 0% interest can save you money.
There’s no annual fee, but be aware the card adds foreign transaction fees, so it’s not a good choice for traveling outside the US.
Bank of America Travel Rewards Student card
Students who love to travel — especially overseas — should have a look at the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. Just like the non-student version (Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card) it comes with a welcome bonus of Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. Each point is worth 1 cent when you redeem for statement credits toward travel purchases, including airfare, hotels, rental cars, campgrounds, and even certain tourist attractions.
This is a good card if you don’t want to mess with complicated award charts or blackout dates, and its earning structure is simple — 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, with no categories to keep track of. You’ll also get a Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students (then a Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students APR) and no foreign transaction fees when you use the card on your adventures abroad.
Chase Freedom Student card
The original, iconic Chase Freedom® card isn’t available to new applicants anymore, but its younger sibling — the Chase Freedom® Student credit card — lives on. New cardholders can earn a Chase Freedom® Student credit card, and 1% cash back (1 point per dollar) on all purchases.
Each year your account is in good standing, you’ll receive a $20 bonus (2,000 points), and you can earn a credit limit increase after making five monthly payments on time within 10 months from account opening (when you meet credit criteria).
The Chase Freedom® Student credit card has surprisingly good benefits for a no-annual-fee student card. When you use your card to pay for an eligible purchase, you’ll get the warranty extended by one year on manufacturer’s warranties of three years or less, and coverage against damage or theft on new items for up to 120 days (up to $500 per claim and $50,000 per account). You also receive trip interruption or cancellation insurance when you pay with the card — up to $1,500 per person and $6,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel (like if you get sick and have to cancel or shorten your trip, or if it’s canceled due to severe weather).
You’ll also get other unexpected perks, including 5% back on Lyft rides (5x points) through March 2025, and $10 per month in Gopuff credits through December 2023. These perks are offered on the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and Chase Freedom Unlimited®, too.
Read our review of the Chase Freedom Student card to learn more.
Discover it Student Cash Back card
The Discover it® Student Cash Back can put a lot of cash in your pocket — if you’re willing to do a little work for it. When you activate the bonus, you’ll earn 5% cash back in categories that rotate each quarter on up to $1,500 in combined spending (then 1%), and 1% back on everything else. Discover’s 5% cash-back categories often include popular merchants or types of purchases, like grocery stores, restaurants, and Amazon Discover It Cashback rotation.
While the card doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You’ll also receive a $50 statement credit if you refer a friend and they’re approved.
With the Discover it® Student Cash Back, you’ll get a Discover it® Student Cash Back on purchases (then a Discover it® Student Cash Back APR), and if you accidentally slip up and make a late payment, there’s no fee the first time it happens (afterward, it’s up to $41).
To learn more, read our Discover it Student Cash Back card review.
Discover it Student Chrome card
The Discover it® Student chrome is almost identical to the Discover it® Student Cash Back, with one key difference. Instead of offering 5% rotating quarterly cash-back categories, you’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%). All other purchases earn a flat 1% cash back.
The spending cap on the 2% categories is quite low ($1,000 per quarter, or about $333 a month), but if you’re able to maximize this bonus, it’s worth an extra $20 per quarter. Students who don’t spend a lot in these categories or who want better rewards across the board will likely do better with a different card.
Learn more in our review of the Discover it Student Chrome card.
Deserve EDU card
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students doesn’t offer remarkable rewards earning, but it’s unique in that you don’t absolutely need a Social Security Number to apply. That makes it an excellent pick for international students who wouldn’t otherwise qualify for a US-based credit card. New cardholders can earn a free Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students.
The card earns 1% cash back on all purchases, but it comes with a number of valuable benefits, including cell phone protection when you use the card to pay your bill — you’ll be covered for damage or theft up to $600 with a $50 deductible, up to $1,000 per year. The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students also offers rental car insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
Capital One Journey Student card
Most credit cards penalize you if you make late payments, but the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One takes a slightly different approach. While the card still tacks on late payment fees (up to $40), it also incentivizes you to pay on time by offering bonus rewards for doing so.
Normally, you’ll earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and then 1% cash back on all other purchases, but you’ll get a .25% bonus on all other purchases (for a total of 1.25% cash back) each billing cycle if your account is not past due.
Capital One will also automatically review your account to see if you’re eligible for a credit limit increase, as soon as six months after you open the account. You can learn more in our Capital One Journey Student Credit Card review.
Petal 2 Visa card details
While not technically a student credit card, the Petal Visa (card issued by WebBank, Member FDIC) is a good option for young adults with very limited or no credit history. The issuer doesn’t just rely on traditional credit scores for approval — it will also look at other factors, like banking history, income, and savings. What’s more, once you have the card, it’s reported to all three major credit bureaus, which can give your credit score a boost over the long term.
This is another card that gives cardholders an incentive to pay on time. Starting out, you’ll earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases, but after making six on-time payments, you’ll earn 1.25% back. After 12 months of paying on time, you’ll get a bump up to 1.5% back. You’ll also have the opportunity to earn bonus cash back (up to 10%) at select merchants.
Another bonus: The Petal Visa doesn’t charge any fees, including for foreign transactions or late payments. However, the card doesn’t offer balance transfers or cash advances like most others do.
How we chose the best student credit cards
We looked at several factors when evaluating the top student credit cards that are currently available to new applicants:
Simplicity — Does the card make it easy to redeem rewards, if any, and have a straightforward program? Are there lots of complicated terms and conditions?Earning potential — Does the card earn rewards, and do the bonus categories line up with typical student spending habits?Welcome bonus — Student cards that offer a sign-up bonus or other incentives are appealing, especially for those on a tight budget who could use a rewards boost.Options for different types of students — We included cards that appeal to all kinds of users, from products with a 0% APR offer to travel points and cash-back credit cards.
Student credit cards frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Should college students have a credit card?
Applying for your first credit card is an exciting milestone regardless of age, but young adults can find it hard to get approved with limited income and credit history. Some parents add their children as credit card authorized users while they’re still minors to get a head start on building credit, but this strategy isn’t a good fit for everyone.
Opening a student credit card is a great first step in building a solid credit history that will help you in years to come. As long as you use it responsibly, avoid carrying a balance, and make your payments on time, having a student credit card can help improve your credit score and make it easier to qualify for other types of credit, like loans and mortgages, in the future.
However, if you don’t have the resources to make payments or are afraid you may overspend on a credit card, it’s best to wait until you’re in a better financial position.
Can I get a student credit card with no credit?
Student credit cards are designed for those who have a limited or no credit history, so they’re typically easier to get approved for than regular credit cards. Other options include secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit, and starter credit cards, which are also geared to folks who are building or rebuilding their credit.
What is the best credit card for students?
The best student credit card for you really depends on your spending habits and the types of rewards you like to earn. For example, if you spend a lot on dining, groceries, and entertainment, a card like the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card would be a great fit because it offers bonus rewards in those categories.
If you prefer a more hands-off approach, flat-rate rewards cards such as the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card or Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students could be a better pick.
You should also consider the card’s extra benefits, like no foreign transaction fees (if you travel abroad a lot) and purchase protections (if you spend on big-ticket items) before you decide on the right one for your wallet.
Can I get a student credit card in high school?
You must be at least 18 years old to get your own credit card, regardless of whether you’re in high school or college. If you’re underage, you could still become an authorized user on a parent or guardian’s credit card until you’re old enough to apply for your own.
What happens to student credit cards when you graduate?
After you graduate, your card issuer may convert your student credit card into an equivalent, regular credit card. For instance, Discover it® Student Cash Back cardholders will have the Discover it® Cash Back card instead, but still earn the same rewards.
You might also have the opportunity to upgrade your student card to a regular version that earns better rewards, depending on your issuer and credit profile.
Keep in mind there’s no harm in keeping a student credit card open after you graduate, especially if it doesn’t charge an annual fee. In fact, keeping no-annual-fee cards open for the long term can help improve your credit score by increasing the average length of your credit history.