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Student cards offer benefits for a range of students — from travelers and foodies to commuters — and may approve applicants with no credit history.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, don't stress. CNBC Select dug into the perks and drawbacks of dozens of top contenders to find the best student credit cards in a variety of categories.
Best student credit cards
- Best for groceries and dining: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for cash back: Discover it® Student Cash Back
- Best for flat-rate rewards: Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Best for gas stations: Discover it® Student Chrome
- Best for earning interest: Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card
- Best for 0% intro APR offer: BankAmericard for Students
- Best for travel: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
- Best for credit building: Chase Freedom Rise® (see rates and fees)
Senior reporter Jason Stauffer can answer your questions about how to make the most of your credit cards in his weekly Points Pro column. Submit yours here.
Best for groceries and dining
Who's this for? The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good fit for students who want to earn elevated rewards in popular spending categories, such as groceries and dining.
Standout benefits: The Capital One Savor Student stands out for its bonus spending categories, which are useful for students. Cardholders earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).
The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card features rewards rates that match many of the top cash-back credit cards.
- High cash-back rates for common student expenses, such as groceries, dining and entertainment
- Elevated cash-back rates on Capital One Entertainment and Capital One Travel purchases
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- High variable APR
- No intro APR on purchases or balance transfers
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: For a limited-time, earn $100 when you spend $300 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Best for cash back
Who's this for? The Discover it® Student Cash Back card is a good fit for students who want to maximize cash back in rotating categories or who need to finance a larger purchase, such as a new laptop. You must be over 18 and a U.S. citizen to apply.
Standout benefits: Cardholders can enroll every quarter to earn 5% cash back on rotating categories after you activate on up to a $1,500 maximum each quarter (then 1%). Check out Discover's 5% cash-back calendar.
Information about Discover cards has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
Best for flat-rate rewards
Who's this for? If you're looking to skip individual rewards categories, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns a flat 1.5% cash back on all your purchases.
Standout benefits: This card is offering a limited-time welcome bonus: Earn a $100 cash bonus once you spend $300 within the first three months. You have a few options for redeeming your rewards, including a statement credit, gift card and more.
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Credit Card earns a generous 1.5% cash back on every purchase, which makes it one of the most rewarding credit cards that's available to students.
- Simple rewards structure with no caps or categories to track
- No annual fee
- Potentially high APR
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Early Spend Bonus: For a limited-time, earn $100 when you spend $300 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
- $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
Best for gas stations
Who's this for? You should consider the Discover it® Student Chrome if you don't want to deal with rotating rewards categories and spend a good chunk of change at gas stations and restaurants. Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
Standout benefits: Discover it® Student Chrome card members get a 0% intro APR for the first six months on new purchases. After the intro period, there's a 16.49% to 25.49% variable APR. We always recommend you pay your balance on time and in full to avoid interest charges.
Information about Discover cards has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
Best for earning interest
Who's this for? The Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card is a secured credit card that can help establish credit and reward you at the same time, but comes at a monthly cost.
Standout benefit: As with other secured credit cards, you make an upfront deposit upon account opening, which becomes your credit line. Unlike other secured cards, your funds are deposited into a high-yield checking account so you earn interest on your deposit. The account earns a 0.75% to 4.00% APY depending on your membership plan. (Earn up to 4.00% APY on deposits with Firstcard Premium" and/or "Earn up to 2.00% APY on deposits with Firstcard+)
Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card
Rewards
Earn up to 10% random cashback on all qualifying purchases; Up to 15% merchant cashback at 29,000+ partner merchants; Earn an additional 0.1% unlimited cashback on all eligible credit card purchases with Firstcard Standard; an additional 0.5% unlimited cashback on all eligible credit card purchases with Firstcard+; or an additional 1% unlimited cashback on all eligible credit card purchases.
Welcome bonus
None
Annual fee
$4/month or $48/year for Firstcard Standard; $7/month or $84/year for Firstcard+; or $10/month or $120/year for Firstcard Premium
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
0%
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
3% with Firstcard Standard; 1.5% with Firstcard+; or 0% with Firstcard Premium
Credit needed
None
Terms apply
Pros
- No Social Security number (SSN) needed, making it a good option for international students, immigrants and more
- No credit check or hard inquiry
- Earn 4.00% APY on your deposit and cash back rewards
- No APR
Cons
- No free membership plan
- Ongoing rewards (unlimited 1% cashback) require Firstcard Premium membership
- Various membership tiers and annual fees may be confusing
Best for 0% intro APR offer
Who's this for? The BankAmericard for Students is ideal for students seeking a special financing offer.
Standout benefits: Instead of offering ongoing rewards or a welcome bonus, new applicants can take advantage of 0% APR for 21 months (then a variable standard APR of 14.99% to 25.99%). The introductory APR applies to purchases and balance transfers you make within the first 60 days of account opening. There is a 5% balance transfer fee for each transaction, which puts a dent in your savings. This card also has no annual fee.
- One of the longest intro APR periods available for students
- No annual fee
- No penalty APR
- No rewards program or welcome offer
- Higher 5% balance transfer fee
- 3% foreign transaction fee
Information about Bank of America cards has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
Best for travel
Who's this for? The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students is a great choice for college students who plan on studying abroad or traveling during breaks because the rewards program is geared toward travel.
Standout benefits: The Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students card has no foreign transaction fees and comes with a longer-than-average intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. Plus, if you plan to study abroad, the card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.
- Solid welcome bonus for a student card
- Strong intro APR offer on both purchases and balance transfers
- No fee charged on purchases made outside the U.S. — great for studying abroad
- Introductory, lower balance transfer fee available for the first 60 days
- No student-centric benefits or incentives to practice responsible credit behavior
- Welcome bonus spending requirement may be too high for some students
Information about Bank of America cards has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer prior to publication.
Best for credit building
Who's this for? The Chase Freedom Rise® (see rates and fees) is available for those with limited-to-fair credit, and with responsible card use, you may be able to increase your credit limit or upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees).
Standout benefits: The card earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase and 3% back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services) on up to $6,000 spent in the first six months.
The Chase Freedom Rise® is one of the most rewarding cards that's available if you're new to credit.
- No credit history required
- Above average flat-rate rewards
- No annual fee
- Small welcome offer
- Has a foreign transaction fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Limited Time Offer - Earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeouts and eligible delivery services, on up to $6,000 spent in the first 6 months from account opening.
- Increase your approval chances - Having a Chase checking or savings account with a balance of at least $250 will increase your chances of getting approved for Chase Freedom Rise®
- Earn Cash Back - With Chase Freedom Rise®, you can establish credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
- Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
- Credit Limit Increase - As a Freedom Rise® cardmember, you'll be evaluated for a credit line increase in as soon as 6 months. Your credit line is the maximum amount of money you can spend on your Freedom Rise® Card
- Free Credit Score - Track your credit score and learn how to build it with Chase Credit Journey.
- No Annual Fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Rise® Card.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
5% or $5 of each transfer, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
3% of the amount of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
What is a student credit card?
A student credit card is a card designed for college students because students are more likely to have a limited credit history. This type of credit card typically offers weaker rewards and smaller intro bonuses, if there's any welcome bonus or rewards at all. However, they provide an opportunity for students to build credit while they're still in school.
How to compare student credit cards
To compare student credit cards, you'll want to take a look at the fine print to fully understand the benefits, fees and APR. The first fee to consider is the annual fee. If a credit card has an annual fee, you'll pay that every year regardless of whether or not you use the card. The card's APR and other types of fees (late payment fee, return payment fee, etc.) are important to be aware of. However, if you plan on missing payments or accumulating credit card debt and paying interest, then you may be better off skipping credit cards and using a debit card for now.
One of the best perks of having a student credit card is being able to earn rewards on your spending. Look at how rewarding each card is and factor in your spending habits. Some student credit cards come with an opportunity to earn a healthy intro bonus, which is an important aspect to compare.
How to choose a student credit card
To choose the right student credit card for you, first think about what you want from a credit card. Are you trying to earn rewards for a trip home? Then a travel rewards card might be best. Or do you want an interest-free period to finance a new computer purchase? In that case, a card with an introductory 0%-APR offer could be ideal.
Once you've honed in on what you want in a card, it's much easier to identify the best fit for your needs. It's also important to pay attention to more than just the card's perks. Credit cards have fees and charge interest when you carry a balance. These costs can easily offset the perks of having the card if you're not careful. For example, a no foreign transaction fee card is essential if you plan on studying abroad because otherwise, these fees can quickly add up.
How to make the best of your student credit card
To make the most of your student credit card, you'll need to understand everything available. If you know what purchases your card earns the most on, you can make sure you're using it on the right transactions. And if your card has a welcome bonus offer, it's vital to know what you need to do to earn that bonus.
One of the biggest benefits of having a credit card as a college student is the opportunity it provides for you to build your credit. However, to do this effectively, you'll need to be sure to pay your credit card bill on time each month and pay off the balance in full. Over time, doing this will slowly improve your credit score and boost your chances of getting a better deal when you need to open a credit card or borrow money later on.
Pros and cons of using a student credit card
- Designed for those with limited credit histories
- Often charge a $0 annual fee
- Many still earn rewards, commonly cash back or points
- Still carries the risk of overspending and debt
- Typically have lower credit limits and fewer benefits
- Poor habits will go onto your credit report
FAQs
Should college students have credit cards?
Having a credit card can help you build your credit history, raise your credit score and teach you how to manage money. When used responsibly, student credit cards can save you money through the rewards you earn on your purchases. Student credit cards also provide more security through their various built-in protections.
How can a student with no income get a credit card?
A student with no income can get a credit card by applying with a qualified cosigner or by being added as an authorized user under a parent's card. If they are over 21 years of age, students are also able to apply for credit cards using their household income.
Which type of credit card is best for students?
The best type of credit card for students is a card that can earn rewards and help you build credit at the same time. It's even better if you can qualify for a card that earns extra rewards in categories where you spend the most.
Are student cards good for building credit?
Student credit cards can be a good way to build credit because they are easier to qualify for than a typical credit card. But for a student credit card to help your credit, you'll need to pay your balance in full and on time every month.
Are student credit cards hard to get?
Student credit cards are generally easier to qualify for than many of the best credit cards. However, the application may require proof of college enrollment in addition to the standard information required for a credit card application.
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Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best student credit cards.
Our methodology
To determine which cards offer the best value for students, CNBC Select analyzed over a dozen of the most popular credit cards available for college students looking to build credit.
We compared each card on a range of features, including: credit limit, rewards program, introductory and standard APR, welcome bonuses and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit score and customer reviews when available. We also considered any special student-centric programs that offer incentives or extra rewards.
Because it's unusual for college student cards to have robust rewards programs, we did not analyze how many reward points you can earn in the first year. For students who are looking to build their credit history and develop strong financial skills, it's more important to practice good credit card habits — spending within your means, paying your balance on time and in full — than try to optimize your points balance.
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*For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Student Cash Back, click here.
For rates and fees of the Discover it® Student Chrome, click here.
Information about the Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
