Top student credit cards for credit cards of May 2022

Compare Bankrate’s top student credit cards

A closer look at the best credit cards for students

Discover it Student Cash Back: Best for rotating cash back bonus categories

• What we love about the Discover it Student Cash Back: The Cash Back Match feature replaces a traditional sign-up bonus with this card. At the end of your first year as a cardholder, Discover will match all the cash back you earned dollar for dollar, so $300 earned cash back becomes $600 with no extra work on your part.
• Who this card is good for: Students with limited credit histories who want to earn cash back. Cash back strategizing could be complicated for someone with no experience with rewards cards. If you’ve built up a bit of credit history with a less complex card and are looking for a way to earn more, this card is a good choice for you.
• Alternatives: If you’re a student who’s new to the world of credit cards and you worry about keeping track of confusing rotating bonus categories, you should consider the Deserve EDU Mastercard. The Deserve EDU offers a flat 1 percent cash back rate on all purchases, with no categories to keep track of.

Read our full Discover it Student Cash Back review.

Jump back to offer details.

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for flat-rate cash back

• What we love about the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: The rewards rate—1.5 percent flat cash back (Cardholders also earn an unlimited 5 percent cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, terms apply)—is high for a student card. Also, there’s no annual fee, making maintaining the card easier on students with limited budgets.
• Who this card is good for: Students who plan to study abroad. The card will be a cost-saver while overseas as it carries no foreign transaction fees.
• Alternatives: The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good alternative choice for students who are looking to earn elevated rewards in categories like dining out and streaming services. SavorOne cardholders will earn 3 percent cash back in those categories.

Read our full Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Jump back to offer details.

Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card: Best student starter card

• What we love about the Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card: The Petal 2 has a relatively low barrier to entry, so it’s an excellent credit-building tool. It’s also among the more lucrative credit-building cards with a cash back rate of up to 1.5 percent (after 12 on-time monthly payments, 1 percent flat cash back before that). It’s a valuable find for students just starting out with credit cards.
• Who this card is good for: Students who are seeking a simple way to manage their cards. The Petal 2 app makes managing your card and checking card transactions easy.
• Alternatives: If you’re a student looking for an easier credit card to acquire and more lucrative cash back consider the Discover it Secured Credit Card. This secured card touts a solid cash back rate—2 percent cash back on up to $1,000 in combined gas station and restaurant purchases and 1 percent cash back on all other purchases—and the notable Cashback Match as a welcome offer.

Read our full Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card review.

Jump back to offer details.

Chase Freedom Student credit card: Best student card for benefits

• What we love about the Chase Freedom Student credit card: This card encourages students to develop good financial habits with its features. Cardholders can receive a credit limit increase after making five monthly on-time payments within 10 months of account opening (if you meet the score requirements). Cardholders also earn a $20 Good Standing Reward each anniversary of your account opening for up to five years.
• Who this card is good for: Students who want to earn a straightforward welcome bonus. Cardholders will get $50 for making a purchase within the first three months from account opening.
• Alternatives: If you have several streaming service subscriptions, the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One credit card might be a good alternative. Cardholders will get $60 in 12 monthly streaming service credits (when you pay on time, exclusions apply.)

Read our full Chase Freedom Student credit card review.

Jump back to offer details.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best overall student credit card

• What we love about the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Cardholders get high rewards rates on some of students’ most popular spending categories like dining and popular streaming services. Concert goers can get a whopping 8 percent cash back on tickets purchased at Vivid Seats. Cardholders also get an unlimited 5 percent cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
• Who this card is good for: This card is a solid choice for students with at least a fair credit score. With it, a student can earn rewards in several everyday categories.
• Alternatives: If your credit score isn’t quite up to par, the Petal 2 “No Annual Fee” Visa might be a better choice. Cardholders can earn a 1 percent flat-rate cash back (up to 1.5 percent cash back after making 12 on-time monthly payments).

Read our full Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card review.

Jump back to offer details.

Discover it Student chrome: Best for gas, dining, and large purchases

• What we love about the Discover it Student Chrome: The Cashback Match sign-up bonus can be very lucrative when used with a clear strategy because Discover matches all cash back earned dollar for dollar. For example, if you spend $1,000 furnishing your first apartment, you’ll get 1 percent cash back or $10, and with the Cashback Match, you’ll get an additional $10.
• Who this card is good for: Students who commute or take road trips often. Your rewards earnings are elevated: 2 percent cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 per quarter in combined spending, then 1 percent.
• Alternatives: If you’re looking to boost your rewards earnings a bit beyond the Student chrome’s 1 to 2 percent cash back, the Discover it Student Cash Back card is a solid choice. Cardholders are rewarded with 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter (then 1 percent, enrollment required) in rotating categories  like Amazon.com, restaurants, gas stations and PayPal.

Read our full Discover it Student chrome review.

Jump back to offer details.

Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students: Best for students with no credit history

• What we love about the Deserve EDU Mastercard: Cardholders who spend $500 in their first three billing cycles will receive a credit for a one-year Amazon Prime Student subscription, valued at $59. It’s also accessible for international students as it doesn’t require a social security number to apply.
• Who this card is good for: Students who don’t have an established credit history or a Social Security number. There is no minimum credit score requirement for this card, and a Social Security number isn’t required for the application.
• Alternatives: If you want to boost our rewards earnings, the Discover it Student Cash Back card might be a better choice for you. Cardholders are rewarded with 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases per quarter (then 1 percent, enrollment required) in rotating categories—whereas EDU Mastercard holders earn just 1 percent cash back on all purchases.

Read our full Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students review.

Jump back to offer details.

Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card: Best for local cash back offers

• What we love about the Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card: The Petal 1 mobile app gives cardholders access to local offers near them that earn 2 percent to 10 percent cash back at select merchants.
• Who this card is good for: Aspiring credit builders who want to avoid security deposits or annual fees. Unlike secured cards, the Petal 2 allows you to skip security deposits while keeping the barrier to entry low. Other financial indicators like your income and bill payment behavior are considered, making the card easier to obtain.
• Alternatives: The Petal 2 “No Annual Fee” Visa offers many of the same great features, like no annual fee and more lenient credit score requirements, while offering up 1 to 1.5 percent cash back rewards.

Read our full Petal 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa Credit Card review.

Jump back to offer details.

What are student credit cards and how do they work?

A credit card for students, whether you’re a college student, international student or a non-traditional student, is exactly what it sounds like: a credit card geared specifically toward students and their needs. Student credit cards work essentially like how other credit cards work, but they’re easier for credit beginners to obtain. A student credit card offers a line of credit, and if you pay off the balance in full and on time every month, you’ll never owe more than what you spent.

Why should I get a student credit card?

If you’re unfamiliar with carrying your own credit card, choosing a student option is a great way to get started. Along with letting you spend conveniently, student cards will give you the opportunity to establish a credit score while learning how to manage an account.

• 
  

  Building credit

  You can start to build credit as a college student, and it’s a fairly good idea to start building credit early if you can. You can read our full guide for all of the reasons why your credit score matters, but essentially, good credit gives you access to larger loans, like a mortgage or auto loan, with better interest rates.

• 
  

  Paying necessary expenses

  You can start with using your card to pay for everyday purchases like your rent or groceries. Or maybe you only want to use it to buy a laptop that would make your school work easier. The point is even little purchases here and there are effective at building credit over time.

• 
  

  Developing good financial habits

  Used responsibly, a student credit card can help you develop good habits that will come in handy later in life. Setting a routine of being on time with payments and budgeting within your means will lead you to success.

• 
  

  In case of emergency

  A credit card can be a great resource in an emergency. If your car breaks down, if you need a hotel room after your flight gets canceled or if you get a big bill after a trip to urgent care, your student card can provide a much-needed cushion.

• 
  

  Avoid foreign transaction fees

  Planning on studying abroad? Unless you like the idea of paying an extra 3 percent on top of every card transaction, you should have a credit card that waives foreign transaction fees, which a lot of student cards do.

Why building credit important is for a college student

A credit card is an excellent tool for students to learn good financial behaviors while still in college. Credit cards are an excellent way to learn to manage your monthly budget and will help you with your finances in the future by building your credit score. Student credit cards often start with lower credit limits to make it easier for students to learn the skill of managing their credit card effectively while preventing splurging and overspending.

As you continue practicing positive credit behavior by making regular on-time payments and keeping your balance low, the issuer may offer you a higher credit limit. This will boost your credit score higher by decreasing your credit utilization ratio. A credit card can also be a helpful tool in the event of an emergency and used to save you money in foreign transaction fees if you decide to study abroad.

Pros and cons of student credit cards

How to choose the best student credit card

Picking the right credit card as a college student can be a bit overwhelming. When evaluating different student credit cards, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• 
  

  Do I fully understand what I’m signing up for?

  Running up a sky-high balance or missing payments regularly can negatively impact your credit score and make it difficult to accomplish future financial goals like getting a mortgage. Be sure that you’re fully aware of the responsibilities that come with carrying a credit card and that you understand the basics of how credit cards work before you apply.

• 
  

  How am I affected by the CARD Act of 2009?

  The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, also known as the CARD Act requires cardholders to be at least 21 years old. This restriction applies to student credit cards as well, but you can bypass this requirement by having a cosigner on your card or by proving your ability to independently pay your bills.

• 
  

  What products and services will I spend the most on?

  Popular student expense categories included gas, restaurants, grocery stores, entertainment, school supplies and streaming services. Some student cards offer higher rewards rates on these spending categories, so it’s good to know which categories you spend, and can therefore earn, the most on.

• 
  

  Am I looking to keep it simple, or maximize rewards?

  Some cards on the market offer simple, flat-rate rewards on all purchases while others have rotating spending categories that usually require you to keep track of these changes and enrollment dates. Know what you want most out of your student card and apply or adjust accordingly.

• 
  

  Am I aware of all possible extra charges and fees?

  The main charge to know about is interest, as any interest charges will be applied to whatever balance you carry month-to-month unless your card has a promotional 0 percent interest offer. Other extra fees include foreign transaction fees, late payment fees and penalty APRs.

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

How students can avoid credit card debt

Learning experiences can be painful, especially when they involve learning how bad decisions can hurt your personal finances. Here’s a list of four tips for staying out of debt trouble with credit cards:

1. Choose the right card for your finances and lifestyle. If you don’t own a car and you rarely dine out, it’s not a good idea to apply for a rewards card that offers cash back on gas and dining purchases.
2. Pay off your balance in full every month. It may seem obvious, but the only way to avoid paying more than you have to is by paying in full every month. Make sure you note when your credit card bill is due and stick to your payment schedule.
3. Pay on time. Late payments are a huge drag on your credit score and can activate expensive penalty APRs. In addition to paying in full each month, always pay on time or pay over the minimum due when possible.

Alternatives to student credit cards

A starter credit card is one of the best ways to build your credit. Starter cards geared towards students can be difficult for someone not enrolled in school to obtain. They also typically require you to show proof of independent income or require a co-signer if you’re under 21. 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 (they often don’t require people applying to have a credit score at all) than the typical student card. This means students looking to get a credit-building card will have a much easier time, so long as they can afford to put down the security deposit.

How to apply for a student credit card

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 how to apply for a student credit card.

1. Check your credit score. If you’ve never had a credit card and you currently have no loans or steady income, your best option for getting your own credit card account is to become an authorized user on a pre-existing account. If you already have a credit history, it’s important to know what your score is. Determining your credit score will let you know which cards you are likely to be approved for.
2. Go to the issuer’s website and find the card’s application. Once you know what card you like, simply head to the issuer’s website and find the application for that card. You may have to create an account before you can start the application.
3. Fill out the application. Once you’ve completed your thorough research on what card works best for your needs, fill out the application with your name, address, identifying information and more. Be sure to have all of your application information ready before getting started.
4. Receive the application decision. Once you submit your application, you will receive a decision on whether you are approved or denied for your credit card. Sometimes issuers will send out an instant decision or it may take a few days. If your application is denied, the issuer is legally required to send a letter explaining the denial.
5. Have your budget and repayment plan ready. Responsible credit use starts with a stable budget and a concrete plan to repay what you spend. Make note of your payment due date and your minimum payment amount so you can always pay on time.

Additional reviews and research

Need to do more studying before you make a decision? No worries. Choosing the right credit card as a college student is a big deal. Check out these resources from Bankrate.

• All student credit card reviews
• All reviews of credit cards for people without any credit history

Learn more: Easiest credit cards to get in 2022

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.