Top student credit cards of June 2023

Written by
Ashley Parks
Edited by
Courtney Mihocik
Reviewed by
Jason Steele
Edited by
Courtney Mihocik
Reviewed by
Jason Steele
Updated June 01, 2023

A student credit card can be a meaningful tool in your financial journey in college. This type of credit card creates a solid starting point for young people who want to build credit. The earlier you start building credit, the better.

Non-traditional and international students can also take advantage of these credit-building tools. Student credit cards aren’t limited to college-aged students. If you’re a non-traditional or international student, there are still credit cards that could work for you.

Student credit cards aren’t the only option. Sometimes a student credit card isn’t the best fit. We’ll explore what you need to know about student credit cards, how to choose the best card for your needs and offer up a few alternatives.

Here are some of our top picks and tips to make the most of a student credit card.

Image of Discover it® Student Cash Back

Best for rotating cash back bonus categories

Discover it® Student Cash Back
Apply now Lock
on Discover's secure site
4.3 Bankrate review
Info
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

No Credit History
Info
Image of Discover it® Student chrome

BEST FOR GAS AND DINING

Discover it® Student chrome
Apply now Lock
on Discover's secure site
4.0 Bankrate review
Info
See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

No Credit History
Info
Image of Chase Freedom® Student credit card

Best student card for benefits

Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Apply now Lock
on Chase's secure site
3.4 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
Info
Image of Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best for flat-rate cash back

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
4.6 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Fair to Good (580 – 740)
Info
Image of Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Best overall student card

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Apply now Lock
on Capital One's secure site
4.6
Info

Intro offer

Info

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Fair to Good (580 – 740)
Info
Image of Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card

Best for local cash back offers

Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card
Apply now Lock
on Petal's secure site
4.4 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

N/A

Annual fee

Recommended credit

Fair to Good (580 – 740)
Info
Image of Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

BEST FOR CREDIT-BUILDING INCENTIVES

Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Apply now Lock
on Petal's secure site
4.5 Bankrate review
Info

Intro offer

N/A

Annual fee

Recommended credit

No Credit History
Info
On This Page
The information about the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
 
 

Compare Bankrate’s top student credit cards

Card name Best for Annual fee Bankrate review score
Discover it® Student Cash Back Rotating cash back bonus categories $0 4.3 / 5
(Read full card review)
Discover it® Student chrome Gas and dining $0 4.0 / 5
(Read full card review)
Chase Freedom Student credit card Student card for benefits $0
3.4 / 5
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Flat-rate cash back $0 4.6 / 5
(Read full card review)
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Overall student card $0 4.6 / 5
(Read full card review)
Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card Local cash back offers $0 4.4 / 5
(Read full card review)
Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card Credit-building incentives $0 4.5 / 5
(Read full card review)

A closer look at the best credit cards for students

Image of

Best for rotating cash back bonus categories

Discover it® Student Cash Back

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Students can build credit, earn top-of-the-line rotating cash back rewards and take advantage of one of the best sign-up offers around.
Students who want to earn cash back in Discover's rotating cash back calendar categories — such as dining, online shopping and gas. Back-to-school shoppers who need to stock up on college supplies can also take advantage of a modest intro APR offer on purchases.
If you want a simpler way to earn rewards, a flat-rate credit card like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card could be easier to keep up with while still offering you consistent cash back on all of your purchases.
Read our full Discover it® Student Cash Back review or jump back to offer details.
Image of

Best for gas and dining

Discover it® Student chrome

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Instead of forcing you to deal with rotating categories, this Discover card lets you earn cash back year round on gas station purchases and dining — two popular spending categories for students.
Students who want to focus on building credit while also earning cash back on everyday essentials. If you need to make a large purchase, this card offers a great intro APR for purchases. 
If you want more of a say in where you earn the most with your credit card, the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students lets you choose your top spending category from the available options.
Read our full Discover it® Student chrome review or jump back to offer details.
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Best student card for benefits

Chase Freedom® Student credit card

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Notable benefits on this card include a good standing bonus on your account anniversary, trip cancellation insurance and trip interruption insurance. 
Students more interested in being rewarded for their solid financial habits than for spending money.
The Petal 2 is another great credit-building card that rewards good financial habits, boosting your rewards rate after you make 12 on-time monthly payments.
Image of

Best for flat-rate cash back

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

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The card’s competitive flat-rate on all purchases is one of the highest base rates available on a student card. This card is also one of the few that offers more than 1 percent back on general purchases as well as bonus rewards in other categories.
Student travelers looking for a hassle-free way to earn rewards on all purchases. Students who plan to study abroad or make online purchases with foreign merchants will also love that this card skips foreign transaction fees.
If you typically spend more on food and entertainment than hotels and rental cars, the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good alternative thanks to its impressive rewards rate in popular categories like grocery stores, restaurants and streaming services.
Image of

Best overall student credit card

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Students can build credit without sacrificing rewards on food, entertainment and more.
Students, social butterflies and homebodies alike who want a single card that earns rewards on staples like groceries and dining as well as extras like concert tickets, travel and streaming services.
If you’re looking for even more category variety or spend heavily outside the food and entertainment category, you might have an easier time racking up rewards with a rotating cash back card like the Discover it® Student Cash Back Card.
Image of

Best for local cash back offers

Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card

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The Petal 1 mobile app comes loaded with credit-building tools like access to your credit score, a calculator to see how much interest you may face based on your balance and a tool that can help you avoid paying for subscriptions you no longer use. 
Credit builders who prefer an unsecured credit card and could benefit from an approval process that factors in alternative data like their income, bill payment and banking history in addition to their credit report.
If you have negative marks on your credit report and struggle to qualify for student cards, there are a number of secured and unsecured credit cards for bad credit that have more lenient credit score requirements and can help you build your credit.
Image of

Best for credit-building incentives

Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

Caret Down
It has a relatively low barrier to entry and is accessible to students and other people with a limited credit history. 
People with no credit or a limited credit history who want to avoid a security deposit and annual fees. 
If you can’t qualify for an unsecured student rewards credit card, the Discover it® Secured Credit Card is a good option that will help you build credit and earn rewards in the popular everyday categories of gas and restaurants.

What are student credit cards and how do they work?

Student credit cards are like regular credit cards, except they’re geared toward college students. With a credit card, you have access to funds up to a certain amount called your credit limit. Purchases you make with the card add up on your balance and you must completely pay it off each billing cycle to avoid interest.

One of the advantages of using a credit card in college is that it helps you build credit. Your issuer will often report how you use the card to one or more of the three major credit bureaus. Like traditional credit cards, student cards give you access to a line of credit you can use to make purchases. If you pay your credit card bills on time and don’t use too much of your available credit, you can begin to build up a positive credit history and grow your credit score. These actions will go a long way toward showing creditors that you know how to use credit responsibly. Once you graduate, the hard work you’ve put in building and maintaining good credit can pay off in a number of ways, as you’ll likely qualify for more rewarding credit cards and have an easier time financing a car loan or mortgage at an affordable rate.

Benefits of building credit as a student

Student credit cards give you a chance to get a head start on building credit, which can help you overcome some financial obstacles. The earlier you start building credit, the longer your credit history will be. The length of your credit history is also a significant contributing factor to your credit score. Here are more benefits that come with using a student card:

  • Moneybag
    Extra funds
    A student credit card gives you access to a line of credit you can use to make purchases. As long as you pay off those purchases in full by your card’s due date, you’ll avoid interest charges. This access to funds is especially useful when returning to school and purchasing necessary supplies, covering moving costs or funding an emergency expense. Remember that you are borrowing money on a credit card and that money must be repaid, so it’s important to monitor your spending and only spend what you can afford to pay back.
  • Credit Fair
    Build credit
    If you start to build good credit as a college student, you’ll have an easier time borrowing money later in life. Having a long history of good credit not only improves your chances of getting approved for mortgages or auto loans, but also unlocks better interest rates that can help save money over time.
  • Lightbulb

    Time to develop good financial habits

    When you use your student credit card responsibly, you’re practicing the good credit habits that show creditors you can be trusted to pay back the money you borrow. Many student cards also come with features that can improve your financial literacy skills.
  • Congrats

    Student-centric perks

    Since issuers design student credit cards with student needs in mind, there are various benefits that come with using a student card during college. Along with more lenient eligibility requirements, some student cards provide perks like statement credits for good grades, high rewards rates on popular spending categories for students (like streaming, dining and entertainment) and access to free credit-monitoring systems.

What you need for a student card application

If you’ve picked out the credit card that best suits your student lifestyle, then the next step is to get it. When you’re ready, here’s what you’ll need to apply for a student credit card.

  1. Your credit score

    Determining your credit score will let you know which cards you are likely to be approved for.

  2. The application for the card you want

    Simply head to the issuer’s website and find the application. You may be able to check if you prequalify for the card before you apply (with no impact to your credit score), which can give you some extra confidence in submitting an application.

  3. Personal information

    Be sure to have all of your application information ready before getting started. Some student card issuers let applicants use an ITIN or passport instead of an SSN, which allows international students to apply for the card they want. 

  4. A budget and repayment plan

    Responsible credit use starts with a stable budget and a concrete plan to repay what you spend. Once you’re approved, make note of your payment due date so you can always pay on time.

How to make the most of your student credit card and avoid credit card debt

Once you have your student credit card, it’s best to find the balance between maximizing this new financial tool and avoiding falling into excess credit card debt. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your student card and avoid credit card debt.

  • Credit Card Reviews

    Choose the right card for you

    Your credit history, finances and lifestyle will all play a role in helping you narrow down your choices for a student credit card. If possible, pick a card that has a low ongoing APR in case you end up carrying a balance
  • Dollar
    Have a budget
    If you know how to budget, you can avoid some of the common missteps that lead to debt. A budget will also help you keep track of how much you’re spending on your credit card so you can keep your credit utilization in check and only spend what you can afford to pay back.
  • Calendar
    Pay on time
    Your payment history has the greatest influence on your credit score. Paying your credit card bill on time as a student will greatly affect how your credit profile looks in the future. Late payments wind up as negative marks on your credit report and can come with late fees. They also trigger penalty APRs, which could lead to more debt.
  • Badge
    Pay off your balance in full whenever possible
    Paying more than the minimum payment due and even trying to pay in full each month will help you avoid excessive interest charges that push people deep into credit card debt. This action also signals to lenders that you’re using your credit responsibly and could lead to credit line increases and other perks down the road.
  • Remove Card

    Avoid cash advances

    A cash advance creates an unnecessary burden on your finances, because of its excessively high interest rates that add on to your debt the moment you withdraw funds.
  • Rewards
    Build a strategy to maximize rewards
    If you pick a student card that offers rewards on certain purchases, strategize your spending to get the most out of your rewards rates. Many student cards also have sign-up bonuses that offer a decent windfall of rewards after you spend a certain amount.
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Bankrate Insight

It’s best to not use your credit card to pay for tuition, but some schools will allow you to do it. However, be aware that you may be charged a convenience fee, and interest will stack up quickly if you don’t pay it off right away.

Alternatives to student credit cards

Whether you struggle to gain access to credit or don’t want to deal with the disadvantages of using a credit card, there are a number of alternative options out there that can help

Secured credit cards

If you’re searching for a way to build your credit with a lower barrier to entry, secured credit cards provide a good alternative. The best secured credit cards have much more lenient requirements. Some don’t require you to even have a credit score when you apply.

Credit-builder loans

For some, a credit-builder loan is one of the best ways to build credit without a credit card. Since you’ll have to pay off the amount of the loan before you actually get to use the loan amount, you not only build credit, but also put money aside in savings. A Consumer Financial Protection Bureau study found this is one of the best ways for people with limited or no credit to build their credit profile.

Authorized user

When you’re an authorized user on the account of a parent, partner or trusted friend, their credit habits can impact your credit profile. If the primary account holder has a long history of good credit behavior, their credit history can help improve a thin credit file and their credit limit can help improve your credit utilization.

UltraFICO and Experian Boost

If a card is completely out of the question, there are alternative methods available for measuring your creditworthiness. Tools like UltraFICO and Experian Boost use your payment history from rent and utility payments to build your credit. 

Checking account

A checking account won’t help you grow your credit score, but how you use it will go a long way to preparing you to manage funds efficiently. Once you’re a pro at handling your own finances, you’ll be more ready for a credit card. Your bank may even have its own line of credit products.

How we chose our top picks for student credit cards

Credit cards reviewed by Bankrate receive scores based on a unique 5-star rating system. Our evaluation of best student credit cards focuses closely on specific qualities and benefits including:
  • Checkmark
    Credit requirements
    The typical person shopping for a student credit card might not have excellent credit or even much credit history at all. Most of the cards on our list are open to new-credit, fair-credit or limited-credit applicants.
  • Checkmark
    Fees
    If you don’t yet have a full-time career, obviously you would be better served by a credit card that goes easy on the fees and charges. Annual fees, foreign transaction fees and other charges make the card more expensive to own, especially if it doesn’t have a rewards program that helps offset those costs.
  • Checkmark
    Rewards
    Some of our top student credit cards have rewards programs that earn cash back for gas, groceries and other everyday purchases. Rewards offer a surefire way to get more value from your card.
  • Checkmark
    International acceptance

    We chose cards that have high acceptance rates around the world and more than a few cards that charge no foreign transaction fee. These cards come in handy for students studying abroad. 

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are 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

Ashley Parks Arrow Right Credit Cards Editor
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.
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Courtney Mihocik Arrow Right Credit Cards Editor
Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at…

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.