Getting a student credit card can make a lot of sense, particularly if you want to begin building credit while you’re still in college. With the right card in your wallet, you may even be able to earn rewards on your spending along the way.

The Discover it® Student chrome is one student credit card that can help you on both fronts. Once you get your card and begin using it, Discover will report your credit balances to the three credit bureaus, thus helping you build credit. You can also earn cash back on everything you buy — and with no annual fee to boot.

If you’re considering this student credit card over other options, you may be wondering if the Discover it Student chrome is really worth it. Read on to learn when it makes sense to get this card and why, in some cases, it might make sense to consider other options.

When is the Discover it Student chrome worth it?

The Discover it Student chrome has a lot going for it, so it may be worth it to you if you are specifically looking to get a student credit card. Not only does this card come with no annual fee, but cardholders get to earn 2 percent cash back on up to $1,000 spent at gas stations and restaurants each quarter (then 1 percent back), plus 1 percent back on all other purchases.

Discover will even double all the rewards earned in your first year through its Cashback Match program. This means that someone who earns $200 in cash back the first year will see their rewards doubled to $400 after 12 months.

Further, cardholders get a free FICO score on their credit card statement, which makes it easy to track their progress building credit over time. The card also comes with a small introductory zero-interest offer on purchases: 0 percent for six months, followed by a variable APR between 17.24 percent to 26.24 percent. This perk can help credit newcomers avoid interest on purchases for half a year.

There’s also a 10.99 percent introductory balance transfer APR for six months, followed by the same (17.24 percent to 26.24 percent) variable APR, but that’s a much less exciting perk.

When is the Discover it Student chrome not worth it?

The benefits above are definitely worth considering, but it also makes sense to find out if you need to get a student credit card at all.

The fact is, student credit cards are geared toward individuals with limited credit history, and those with established credit — or a “fair” credit score or better — may be able to branch out to credit cards with better perks and rewards. If you have a “good” credit score, on the other hand, you may be able to qualify for one of the best rewards credit cards on the market today.

You may also find that the Discover it Student chrome comes up short when compared to other student credit cards. However, this can depend on the rewards categories you really want and cardholder benefits you care about.

For example, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card lets cardholders earn a flat 1.5 percent cash back on regular purchases, plus 5 percent back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Not only that, but new cardholders can earn a $50 cash bonus after spending $100 on purchases within three months of account opening — and there’s no annual fee.

Another student card to consider with no annual fee is the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. This student card also offers a $50 cash bonus when you spend $100 within three months of account opening, and you also earn 3 percent cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), 5 percent back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 8 percent back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 1 percent back on all other purchases.

Should you get the Discover it Student chrome?

At the end of the day, the Discover it Student chrome is best for students who want to earn bonus rewards on gas station and restaurant purchases, as well as those who want access to a minor low-interest introductory offer. This card is also a good option for anyone who wants the chance to track their credit progress by having access to their FICO score for free.

That said, it never hurts to compare other student credit cards before you apply, especially since many have different rewards bonus categories that could make more sense for the way you shop.

The bottom line

If you want to learn more about this card, make sure to check out our Discover it Student chrome review. By spending some time learning about this card and seeing how it stacks up to other starter cards, you can wind up with the best credit card for your needs and goals.