The best student credit cards offer rewards, introductory APRs, and other useful financial features while remaining easy to obtain for students. Finder compared more than 200 credit cards to rank the best student credit cards in 2024.
We considered features such as rewards, accessibility based on credit history, and perks based on school performance. Finder’s experts provide unbiased, trustworthy evaluations of all student credit cards and providers, not just those we partner with on the site.
Best for long-term value
Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
The Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card offers an enticing benefit over other types of secured cards: the ability to earn with the Chase Ultimate Rewards rewards program. Other secured cards that earn rewards typically earn just cash back. Earn Chase Ultimate Rewards to build a sizable trove of Chase points to cash in on should you choose to stick with Chase in the long term. The card is also light on the wallet, with a low interest rate compared to some of the other cards on this list.
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Pros
- Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn an unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases. The fact that you earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points inherently boosts the potential value of your rewards beyond what other secured cards can earn.
- No annual fee. A lack of annual fee is ideal on any card designed for building credit.
- Annual reward bonus. Chase will give you $20 on each account anniversary for your first 4 years of card ownership.
Cons
- No intro APR period. You don't get a 0% intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers. An intro APR on purchases is handy for stocking up on books or other school supplies at the start of your college days.
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Purchase APR | 26.99% variable |
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| Balance transfer APR | 26.99% variable |
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| Welcome Offer | $50 after making a purchase in the first 3 months
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| Rewards | Up to 1% cash back |
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The information about Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card has been collected independently by Finder and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
| Welcome Offer | $50 |
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| Rewards | Up to 1% cash back |
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Minimum credit score | 670 |
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Best for international students
International students often find it difficult to get a US credit card because they may not have Social Security numbers. The Deserve® Edu Card is a convenient solution: You don't need a Social Security number to apply. Though the rewards aren’t quite as strong as other student options, the accessibility trade-off is more than welcome, especially considering the card still earns 1% back on purchases.
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Pros
- Cash back. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee for the life of the card.
- Amazon Prime Student subscription. When you use your Deserve® Edu Card to pay for your annual Amazon Prime Student subscription, Discover EDU will reimburse you for the fee of $59.
Cons
- No intro APR. This card lacks an intro APR on balance transfers and purchases.
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Purchase APR | 22.99% variable |
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| Balance transfer APR | N/A |
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| Welcome Offer | Amazon Prime Student subscription credit up to $59 after spending $500 in the first 3 months |
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| Rewards | Up to 1% cash back |
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| Welcome Offer | Other |
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| Rewards | Up to 1% cash back |
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Minimum credit score | 580 |
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Best for rebuilding credit
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Capital One's secured card can help you improve your credit if it isn't yet where you want it to be. You might receive a $200 credit line with a security deposit far less than that amount, as low as $49. Capital One also gives you an incentive to use your card responsibly, possibly raising your credit limit after six months of responsible use. Since not every college student is going to have unsullied credit, this card is an excellent tool for students that want to course-correct their early credit mistakes.
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Pros
- No annual fee. This is one of the rare secured cards that has no annual fee.
- Low security deposit. Deposit either $49, $99 or $200 based on your creditworthiness and you may receive a $200 credit line without having to put down a security deposit of the same amount.
- Chance at a higher credit line. You'll automatically be considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months after opening the card.
Cons
- Secured deposit required. You must make a secured deposit to use the card.
- No rewards. You won't earn any rewards on your purchases with this card.
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Purchase APR | 29.99% variable |
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| Balance transfer APR | 29.99% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you) |
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| Welcome Offer | N/A |
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| Rewards | None |
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| Welcome Offer | n/a |
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| Rewards | None |
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Minimum credit score | New / limited credit |
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Best for rewards
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card combines a $0 annual fee with impressive rewards for a student card. Notably, it doesn't punish late payments with a penalty APR, which is incredibly helpful for students who need credit but aren’t yet in the habit of properly managing their credit account.
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Pros
- No annual fee. You won't need to pay an annual fee to use this card.
- Cash back. Purchases you make through Uber and Uber Eats will earn you 10% cash back through 11/14/2024. Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, select streaming services and eligible grocery stores and 1% back on other purchases.
- Open to fair credit. You can qualify for this student card with just fair credit.
Cons
- No intro APR period. There's no 0% intro APR period on balance transfers or purchases.
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Purchase APR | 19.99% - 29.99% variable |
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| Balance transfer APR | 19.99% to 29.99% variable Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate (0% at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you) |
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| Welcome Offer | Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months |
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| Rewards | Up to 10% cash back |
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| Welcome Offer | $50 |
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| Rewards | Up to 10% cash back |
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Minimum credit score | New / limited credit |
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Best for flat-rate rewards and no foreign transaction fees
Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students is one of the best travel cards on the market and it has a great student version, too. It offers solid flat-rate rewards on all purchases, no foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad, a potentially low interest rate and one of the best signup bonuses around. This makes it a great “all-around” choice for students who want to earn rewards on their purchases but don’t spend large amounts in particular bonus categories.
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Pros
- Signup bonus. Spend $1,000 in your first 90 days of account opening to earn 25,000 bonus points. That’s worth $250 in statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Reward points. Earn unlimited 1.5x points on everything you buy.
- Intro APR period on purchases. Use your first 18 billing cycles to make interest-free purchases with a 0% intro APR period. After that, your rate reverts to variable 18.24% to 28.24% APR.
Cons
- No balance transfer intro APR period. The card offers a 0% intro APR period on purchases but not on balance transfers. If you’re looking to make a balance transfer, compare 0% intro APR balance transfer credit cards.
- Penalty APR. Miss payments and you could get slapped with a harsh 29.99% penalty APR.
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 18.24% to 28.24% variable) |
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| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 18 months (then 17.99% to 27.99% variable) |
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| Welcome Offer | 25,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days |
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| Estimated welcome offer value | $250 based on Finder's valuation |
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| Rewards | Up to 1.5x points |
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| Welcome Offer | 25,000 points |
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| Rewards | Up to 1.5x points |
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Minimum credit score | 580 |
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Best for overall cash back
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students
There are several student cards with great rewards, but this card comes out on top because of its flexible 1% cashback category, which allows you to choose a category from a preselected list. Plus, you'll find an attractive signup bonus and a generous intro APR on purchases and balance transfers. Students more interested in maximizing their credit card earnings will value this card more than a flat-rate card like the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students.
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Pros
- Signup bonus. Earn a $200 online cash bonus after you spend $1,000 in your first 90 days when you open your account.
- Cash back. Earn 1% cash back on a category you choose, such as online shopping, dining, gas, drug stores, travel or home improvements. You'll also earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. You're capped on up to $2,500 in combined purchases in both 1% and 2% cashback categories. After that, your rate reverts to 1% cash back, which is the rate you earn on all other purchases.
- Intro APR period. Get 18 billing cycles of 0% intro APR period on balance transfers and purchases. A variable APR of 17.99% to 27.99% applies thereafter.
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees. Every transaction made abroad or online with foreign merchants will cost you 3% of the amount.
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 17.99% to 27.99% variable) |
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| Balance transfer APR | 0% intro for the first 18 billing cycles (then 17.99% to 27.99% variable) |
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| Welcome Offer | $200 after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days |
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| Rewards | From 1% cash back |
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| Welcome Offer | $200 |
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| Rewards | From 1% cash back |
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Minimum credit score | 580 |
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Best for cash back on rotating bonus categories
Discover it® Student Cash Back
The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers stellar cashback rewards in specific bonus categories each quarter. It can be a great choice if you love having variety in your rewards. During specific months, you can take advantage of the 5% cash back by stocking up on select items for the school year. While this card earns more than the Bank of America Cash Rewards, it doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility, making it best for students committed to playing the game of credit card rewards.
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Pros
- Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter you activate them, on up to $1,500 in combined purchases. After reaching the cap and on all other purchases, you earn 1% cash back.
- Cashback match. This is Discover's version of a welcome offer where Discover matches all the cash back you earned during your first year of card membership without limits. This means if you earn $500 in cash back during your first year, Discover will award you an additional $500.
- Good grades reward. Every school year you earn a 3.0 GPA or higher, Discover will reward you with a $20 statement credit for up to five years.
Cons
- Balance transfer fees. You’ll pay a 5% fee for each balance transfer.
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 6 months (then 17.99% to 26.99% variable) |
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| Balance transfer APR | 10.99% intro for the first 6 months (then 17.99% to 26.99% variable) Intro fee of 3% of the amount of each transfer for transfers that post to your account by September 10, 2022 with the 10,99% intro APR balance transfer offer described above. After that, 5% of the amount of each transfer. |
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| Welcome Offer | Discover will match cash back at the end of your first card year |
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| Rewards | Up to 5% cash back |
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| Welcome Offer | Other |
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| Rewards | Up to 5% cash back |
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Minimum credit score | 580 |
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Best for commuters
Discover it® Chrome for Students
With the Discover it® Chrome for Students, you can earn solid cashback on bonus categories you're most likely to spend as a student: dining and fuel. While you can conceivably earn more with other student cards, this card’s rewards are reliable for students who commute to college and don’t need to worry about other purchases. Plus, this card requires no annual fee, rewards you for good grades, and offers Discover’s potentially valuable cash back match on your first year.
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Pros
- Cash back. Earn 2% cash back on dining and gas on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, reverting to 1% after and on all other purchases.
- No annual fee. You won't pay an annual fee to use this card.
- Signup bonus. Discover will match any cash back you've earned during your first year of card ownership.
Cons
- Short intro APR periods. The Discover it® Chrome for Students comes with intro APRs on purchases and balance transfers, though they're just 6 months in length.
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Purchase APR | 0% intro for the first 6 months (then 18.24% to 27.24% variable) |
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| Balance transfer APR | 10.99% intro for the first 6 months (then 17.99% to 26.99% variable) |
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| Welcome Offer | Discover will match cash back at the end of your first card year |
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| Rewards | Up to 2% cash back |
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| Welcome Offer | Other |
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| Rewards | Up to 2% cash back |
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| Annual fee | $0 |
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| Minimum credit score | 580 |
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Back to topCompare all student credit cards
If our best picks for student credit cards don’t meet your needs, there are plenty more solid student cards out there. Compare all student credit cards side-by-side to get a sense of what card is a good fit for your wallet.
Most student credit cards are designed for those with no credit history. That means if you damaged your credit score before entering college, your credit card options will be much more limited than a student just starting their credit journey. Nonetheless, with on time payments even a simple starter card can help you build credit.
Here are a few steps you’ll want to take when considering your options.
- Review your credit score. Your credit score is going to dictate which student credit cards are available to you. Check your score through any of the major credit bureaus: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.
- Consider your spending habits. Do you travel to get to school? Do you dine out a lot when on campus? Depending on your spending needs, a student rewards card could help you recoup your expenditures. You also want to make sure you don’t spend too much or prevent yourself from making on-time payments.
- Think about your initial spending needs. A few student rewards cards offer intro APRs on purchases. An intro APR can let you pay off your school supplies and book purchases over time without incurring interest.
- Look at accessibility. If you’re an international student, your card options are going to be much more limited without a Social Security Number. In that case, you’ll want to look at student cards that don’t require a Social Security Number.
A student credit card is a great choice if you’re a student interested in building credit for the first time. Whether or not one is worth your time is pretty simple.
Get a student credit card if you…
- Are a student.
- Want to build credit.
- Don’t wish to or can’t sign on to another account as an authorized user.
Get another card if you…
- Have a poor credit score.
- Are not a student.
- Find it more beneficial to join another account as an authorized user.
- What’s the difference between a secured card and a student card?
You must put down a security deposit before you can get a secured card. This is different than a student card, which doesn’t require a security deposit.
A secured card might be a good choice if your credit score needs work. Because your provider can take your deposit if you fail to pay your card bill, it may be more willing to take you on as a customer. - Do I have to keep my student credit card forever?
No. However, you may want to keep your card for at least a few years to lengthen your credit history. - Does American Express offer a student card?
No. However, you can still apply for an Amex card if you’re 18 or older with a good credit score. - Can I get a credit card if I’m a high school student?
It’s slightly tougher to get your own card if you’re under 21, but it’s doable. You must be at least 18 years old. You must also prove your ability to pay your own card bill, or apply with a cosigner.
If you’re under 18, you can’t get a credit card on your own. But consider asking a parent to add you to their credit card account as an authorized user. - Do I need to be a student to get a student credit card?
Typically, you do need to be a student to get a student credit card. Your provider may ask you to show proof that you’re enrolled in a college or university.
The best student credit card depends on how you spend your money and what perks you’re looking for. If none of our top picks feel like the right fit for you, compare more student credit cards to find your best option.
Credit card ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
Our team evaluates credit cards to determine their value against similar cards on the market.
We rank card types — travel, cashback, business — on a set of factors that are most relevant to that type of card. We create these rankings to help you narrow down a credit card that best suits your spending and budget.
Learn the details of our methodology and scoring.
