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As a Bankrate credit cards editor, Ashley Parks is fascinated by the ways people can make credit cards work for them when armed with the right knowledge.
Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate, focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards programs, point valuation and credit scores, and his stories on building credit have been cited by Mic.com, LifeHacker, People.com and more. Through his thorough card reviews and product comparisons, Nouri strives to demystify personal finance topics and credit card terms and conditions to help readers save money and protect their credit score.
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In college, many students may feel that using a debit card is safer or easier than using a credit card. But it would be wise for students to pay attention to their credit scores early on so they can set themselves up for financial success. By starting out with credit slowly, and by learning positive financial habits along the way, students have the potential to build a strong credit history and an impressive score — which will come in handy when they apply for an apartment or a loan.
While plenty of financial products exist to help students build credit from scratch, students who already have some credit history may be wondering which credit cards are available to them. While many card issuers like Discover and Capital One offer several credit cards for students, Chase has just one dedicated student credit card. However, it has some other credit cards that would work well for students, which we’ll explore below.
5% cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 percent) and travel purchases through Chase Travel℠
5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
3% cash back on dining (including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services) and drugstore purchases
1% cash back on all other purchases
4.8 / 5
Top Chase student cards
Best overall Chase student card
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Rating: 3.4 stars out of 5
3.4
The Chase Freedom® Student credit card is the only credit card Chase offers that is specifically geared toward students. The card’s rewards program is simple and you’ll have multiple redemption options to choose from. You’ll also benefit from a few student-specific bonuses if you meet the necessary criteria.
Pros
You’ll earn a $50 welcome bonus after you make your first purchase within the first three months of account opening, a modest and accessible welcome offer for a student budget.
Each year your card remains in good standing, you’ll receive $20 after your account anniversary (for up to five years).
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is not common on student cards, but this one has this rare perk.
Cons
Chase recommends having a good to excellent credit score when you apply for this card, so it’s not the best pick for first-time credit users.
Many other cards available to students offer more competitive rewards rates.
While you can transfer a balance to this student card, there are no intro APR offers to shield you from interest charges and the balance transfer fee is on the high end at 5 percent of the transferred balance (or min. $5, whichever is greater).
Best for building credit
Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card
The Chase Freedom Rise comes packed with tools and features that make it a competitive choice among student and starter cards. You’ll have access to credit-building tools like a free credit score through Chase Credit Journey and the incentives to build good credit habits folded in make this one worth a closer look.
Pros
You can boost your approval odds by having a Chase checking account with a balance of at least $250.
The flat rewards rate is competitive for a starter credit card.
You could be eligible for a credit limit increase when you demonstrate positive credit habits for as little as six months.
Cons
As is common with most starter cards, the ongoing APR is steep.
No intro APR offers means you won’t be shielded from the card’s high APR if you need to carry a balance.
While some student and starter cards may skip a first late fee or penalty APR, you won’t get breaks on those penalty charges here.
Best for travel rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5
If you’re a student who has already built up your credit score, you may want to consider the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, which is a no-annual-fee card that lets you earn a higher rate of rewards. Its flexible redemption options, fairly straightforward rewards program and top-notch benefits make this card one of the most popular on the market.
Pros
Valuable benefits like purchase protection, trip cancellation insurance and a complimentary DashPass subscription make this card a well-rounded pick for a student crowd.
Skipping the annual fee lets cardholders enjoy their rewards earnings without having to compensate for the extra cost.
The flat-rate on this card is one of the most competitive among no-annual-fee cards and cards for students.
Cons
The card’s 3 percent foreign transaction fee limits this card’s potential as a cost-effective option to use while abroad.
You could get a sky high penalty APR for missing a payment, an added cost many student cards and credit-building cards might skip.
To earn the highest rate on travel purchases you must book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.
Best for rotating bonus categories
Chase Freedom Flex℠
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
If you’re willing to put a bit more effort into earning rewards, the Chase Freedom Flex is a great no-annual-fee rewards card to consider. Its rotating bonus categories often cover common staples like groceries and gas and the welcome offer’s required spend could fit reasonably into a student budget.
Pros
The intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers could be ideal for paying down a balance or financing a large purchase.
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is a coveted card perk not common on no-annual-fee cards — and this one has it.
The welcome offer’s reasonable required spend makes it easier to earn a windfall of early rewards.
Cons
Your earning potential is limited thanks to spending caps.
Keeping up with the enrollment into rotating bonus categories may not be easy on a student schedule.
Not the best companion for something like studying abroad due to its 3 percent foreign transaction fee.
Each Chase card, like any credit card, comes with a unique set of terms and conditions. Look closely at details like added fees, interest rates and card perks and benefits. Aim to pick a card that fits well into your budget and your schedule and possesses the added features you want most.
Look for intro APR offers
If you have high interest debt to pay off or if you’re hoping to pay for a large purchase over time without paying interest — maybe you need to furnish your first apartment or you’re hoping to book a trip abroad next semester — you may want to look for a Chase credit card with a 0 percent introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers or both.
Decide on the type of rewards you want
If you want to earn rewards on your spending, see which cards offer a rewards structure that makes sense with your spending habits. If you spend a lot across a broad scope of categories, try choosing a flat-rate rewards card that will give you competitive earnings on every purchase. If you don’t mind tracking rotating categories and enrollment dates or you spend the most in a few select categories, choosing a bonus or rotating category rewards card may be what fits best.
Frequently asked questions
No, not every Chase card charges a foreign transaction fee. However, the Chase cards that do skip this added cost are often the issuer’s most premier travel rewards cards or co-branded travel cards.
The easiest Chase card to get as a student would likely be the Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card. It’s designed specifically for people just getting started with building credit, and offers competitive flat rewards and incentives for building a positive credit history.
Once you graduate, you don’t have to get rid of your student or starter credit card. In fact, if the card is the first line of credit you’ve opened, it’s likely better for your score to keep the account open and active to maintain the length of your credit history. You could also look to update your card to one that’s more rewarding and better suits your life beyond being a student.
The bottom line
Chase offers several credit cards that would work well for students who already have a good credit history. No-annual-fee cash back cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex are wallet staples for many consumers, so you won’t need to worry about upgrading a student card once you graduate. And for students who are already in the market for an entry-level travel card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred could be worth considering, if they’re open to paying an annual fee.
*The information about the Chase Freedom® Student credit card and the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
As a Bankrate credit cards editor, Ashley Parks is fascinated by the ways people can make credit cards work for them when armed with the right knowledge.
Nouri Zarrugh is a writer and editor for CreditCards.com and Bankrate, focusing on product news, guides and reviews. His areas of expertise include credit card strategy, rewards programs, point valuation and credit scores, and his stories on building credit have been cited by Mic.com, LifeHacker, People.com and more. Through his thorough card reviews and product comparisons, Nouri strives to demystify personal finance topics and credit card terms and conditions to help readers save money and protect their credit score.
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