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Best student credit cards of December 2024

Updated December 10, 2024

Advertiser Disclosure: The listings that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which Bankrate receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Here's an explanation for and how we rate our cards.

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Showing 7 results

Best overall student card

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

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4.6
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

$50

Rewards Rate

1% - 8%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: If you’re a student who spends mostly on grocery store purchases, restaurants, entertainment and popular streaming services (and what student doesn’t), this card is all you need for earning back on your purchases.

Best for rotating cash back categories

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Bankrate score

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5.0
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock

on Discover's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

Cashback Match

Rewards Rate

1% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR

Why you'll like this: It effectively doubles your cash back at the end of the first year, making it a good choice if you want to maximize your year one rewards.

Best for no credit check

Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback for Students

Bankrate score

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3.0
Bankrate review
N/A
Apply nowLock

on Firstcard's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

N/A

Rewards Rate

1% - Up to 15%

Annual fee

N/A

Regular APR

0% APR

Why you'll like this: The Firstcard makes it easy to begin your credit journey without requiring a credit check or Social Security number.

Best for intro APR

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students

Bankrate score

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3.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Bank of America's secure site

Intro offer

$200

Rewards Rate

1.5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Why you'll like this: You can earn cash back on every purchase without worrying about reward categories and gain access to valuable financial education such as Better Money Habits.

Best for travel

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
3.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Bank of America's secure site

Intro offer

25,000 points

Rewards Rate

1.5X

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.49% - 28.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers

Why you'll like this: You can earn unlimited points for every dollar spent on purchases, which you can redeem for a wide variety of travel expenses without any restrictions.

Best for gas and dining

Discover it® Student Chrome

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
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4.1
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock

on Discover's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

Cashback Match

Rewards Rate

1% - 2%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR

Why you'll like this: It offers cash back on gas stations and restaurants, which makes it a good choice if you’re a student who commutes and dines out frequently.

Best for flat-rate cash back

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.0
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

$50

Rewards Rate

1.5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: This card combines unlimited flat-rate cash back on every purchase with an easy to earn Early Spend Bonus.

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Compare Bankrate’s top student credit cards

Card name Best for Card highlights Bankrate review score

Overall student card

8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases

5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)

3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)

1% cash back on all other purchases

 

4.6 / 5

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(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site

Rotating cash back categories

5% cash back on up to $1,500 per quarter of rotating category purchases (activation required), then 1%

1% cash back on all other purchases 

Low rates and fees

 

5.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Discover's secure site

No credit check

Up to 15% cash back on over 29,000 partner merchants

Up to 10% random cash back after every eligible purchase

3.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Firstcard's secure site

Intro APR

Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases

Longer intro APR than many competitors

 

3.9 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Bank of America's secure site

Travel

Unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases

Top-notch intro offer

 

3.9 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Bank of America's secure site

Gas and dining

2% cash back cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%)

Automatic Cashback Match™

Low rates and fees

 

4.1 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Discover's secure site

Flat-rate cash back

1.5% cash back on purchases
 
 

4.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site

Why you should build credit as a student

Building credit early with a student credit card grants you a crucial financial head start. You can build credit early in your adult life by getting into the routine of using money responsibly while setting yourself up for future success. When it comes time to apply for car loans, apartments, mortgages and personal loans, you’ll be grateful for the experience.

How building credit as a student is beneficial

You’ll learn valuable lessons about budgeting, making timely payments and understanding the impact of debt by managing a credit card. These experiences lay the groundwork for a lifetime of financial decision-making, which is essential for long-term financial stability and future financial opportunities. 

A strong credit history can lead to lower interest rates, higher credit limits and better loan terms, ultimately saving you money in the long run on some of life’s milestones, like renting an apartment, buying a car or starting a business.

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Is a student card right for you? Pros and cons of student credit cards
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What people say about student credit cards

It can be hard to determine the best way to start building a credit history, especially as a student. When asked whether student credit cards were worth getting over a standard unsecured credit card, a Reddit user in the r/CreditCard community stated, “what matters is that you start your OWN revolving credit history.”

A brief or absent credit history will be a large hurdle for many students applying for unsecured credit cards. According to one user, “chances are you'd be denied for ‘insufficient revolving credit history’ if you applied [for an unsecured card].” Still, student-specific credit cards have better approval odds if you don’t have much credit history.

This opinion is also shared in the r/PersonalFinance community, where another user writes, “You should open your own credit card to start building independent credit history if you ever need to take yourself off as an [authorized user] on your parents' card.”  Several reasons can cause your time as an authorized user to end. However, with opening your own credit card as soon as possible, you can still establish a lengthy credit history without depending on someone else's account.

Although you may not be able to open a decent credit card right away, a student card can be a gateway to better rewards and higher credit limits. If you’re interested in exploring your options, check which ones you’re a potential match for by using tools like Bankrate’s CardMatch™

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up to date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Expert advice on choosing a student credit card

Here are some tips for beginners to help you narrow down your options and pick the right student credit card for you: 

  • Make sure you qualify: Issuers typically reserve student credit cards for anyone enrolled in college courses with little or no credit history. However, check for additional requirements, such as part-time or full-time status or if two-year institutions are eligible.
  • Look for credit-building tools: The best student cards have built-in features that help you build credit. Features like reporting to all three credit bureaus, offering credit line increases and providing free credit reports are features you should look for.
  • Prioritize features that matter to you: Most student cards have student-centric perks like purchase protection or the chance to earn cash back on your purchases.
  • Consider your interest in studying abroad: You’ll want a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees if you study abroad. You should also check if merchants will accept the card at your destination since not all card networks are widely accepted.
  • Explore cards with upgrade potential: Many student cards have a “graduated” version you could upgrade to once you’re ready to move beyond student credit cards. If you upgrade with the same issuer, you could skip putting in a new application and avoid a hit to your score.

How to use a credit card responsibly as a student

As a student, using a credit card responsibly is important for building a positive credit history and avoiding debt. Here are some key tips for using a credit card responsibly:

  • Create a budget and monitor your spending. Establish a monthly budget to track your expenses to avoid overspending and ensure you can afford to pay off your credit card balance in full each month.
  • Pay on time. Make timely credit card payments to avoid late fees and negative marks on your credit report.
  • Limit your credit utilization. If you do carry a balance, keep your credit utilization ratio below 30 percent each billing cycle. It accounts for 30 percent of your FICO credit score.
  • Be aware of all fees. Credit cards come with their own set of credit card fees. Avoiding some of them is easy if you pick the right card. 
  • Keep up with your credit score. It's important to keep a close eye on your credit score so you’ll know if there have been any changes. Seeing progress might motivate you to make better decisions when using a credit card.

How a Bankrate expert chose a student credit card

Bankrate writer Benét Wilson is part of a loyal Bank of America family, and she started her credit journey with the low-cost card a family member recommended to her. Benét still recommends streamlined cards like hers for students, but she stresses that students should take the time to thoroughly research the card that best fits their needs.

"While I was in college, credit card companies worked hard to get students to apply for credit cards through sign-up events and giveaway items like shirts and frisbees to turn students into life-long customers. I chose the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students* at a campus event because my grandfather was a Bank of America bank manager and recommended it for establishing credit. He gave me a long lecture on using the card responsibly, but it didn't stick. I racked up charges on dumb stuff like food, clothing and entertainment and hit my spending limit quickly. I worked almost a year to pay off that card. I wish I could say I learned my lesson and never overcharged credit cards again, but that would be a lie.

Regardless, the student BankAmericard was a good fit for my financial and credit-building needs at the time, and it’s still a solid option for students looking for their first credit card. Just do your homework and choose wisely since that first credit card will set the tone for your financial history.

If you have the option, also consider asking your parents to make you an authorized user. With the right card, you can take advantage of rewards and perks that don't normally come with student credit cards.”

— Benét Wilson, Writer, Credit Cards

*The information about the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Our data: Are flat-rate or bonus-category cards better for students?

Students can have busy schedules that make strategizing and maximizing credit card rewards feel like another extracurricular. We analyzed our proprietary data to determine if Bankrate users who viewed student credit cards on our site in 2023 wanted flat-rate or rotating-category student credit cards. Are students more drawn to cards that earn boosted cash back rates in certain categories like the Discover it® Student Cash Back or do they want straightforward cash back like what the Capital One Quicksilver Student card offers?

The top three most popular student cards on our site in 2023 — the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students and the Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Studentsall have flat-rate rewards.

The Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, which users were 16.3 percent less likely to be interested in, has four bonus categories to take advantage of — but this may make it less appealing to busy students.

Still deciding if a student credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool to get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

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Bankrate Insight

Some schools may allow you to pay tuition using a credit card, but it’s not recommended. Your institution may charge a convenience fee for paying with a credit card, and interest will stack up quickly if you wait to pay it off.

Best alternatives to student credit cards

College is a great time to try new things and take (reasonable) risks, but that’s not an ideal approach to managing finances. Student cards often have unsecured credit lines with some of the best rewards rates and perks — and perhaps the lowest rates and fees — available with starter cards. They’re certainly one of the best ways to build credit as a college student, but being reluctant to get a credit card or wanting a card with more guardrails is understandable.

Some of the most common alternatives to student credit cards include:

  • Secured credit cards: These cards require a security deposit, and several top options earn rewards without charging an annual fee.
  • Alternative credit scoring models: Tools like UltraFICO and Experian Boost look at aspects of your finances aside from credit history to help establish your credit score, including utility bills, streaming services and rent payments.
  • Become an authorized user: You’ll receive a card linked to the primary cardholder's account. You can use this card to access the authorized user’s credit line, but only the authorized user is responsible for making payments. 

If you’re nervous to strike out on your own in the credit card market, some of the best credit-building options may require asking a relative or someone else you trust if you can become an authorized user on their credit card account. Bankrate editor Daniella Ramirez went this route and could skip the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card and obtain its full-fledged counterpart.

My parents added me as an authorized user on their Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, and I built my credit history by being associated with their account. They maintained a good payment history on the card, so I essentially piggybacked on their credit, which reflects on my credit report. Thanks to being an authorized user, I built a good credit score and had access to the full Quicksilver card right away. — Daniella Ramirez, Bankrate editor

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.

Frequently asked questions about student credit cards

How we assess the best cards for students

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50+
cards rated
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500+
data points analyzed
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250+
fees tracked
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40+
perks evaluated

When evaluating the best cards for students, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that make it easy to build credit history while minimizing costs.

We analyzed over 50 of the most popular cards designed for students and rated each based on its cost, APR, credit-building features and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here’s a look at how our rating methodology breaks down for student credit cards:

5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Overall Score
  • Ongoing cost 45%
  • Perks 35%
  • Introductory offer 10%
  • Customer experience 10%