Best Credit Cards for Students
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Learning how to manage money and be responsible with credit cards is important for college students. Gaining money management skills as a young adult can help college students set themselves up for future financial opportunities.
It's smart to get a student credit card as soon as you head off to college. A variety of credit cards are explicitly created with college students in mind. Getting a non-student credit card can be challenging if you have no credit or a low credit score. Luckily, most student credit cards are aimed at young adults with a limited credit history.
Are you looking for the perfect student card? Check out the guide below to better understand what to look for in a student card and determine which cards are the best option.
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Overview of the best student cards
Card Issuer | Best for |
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card | Simple rewards |
Chase Freedom® Student credit card | Low interest |
Citi® Secured Mastercard® | Little to no credit |
Discover it Student Chrome | 0% interest intro offer |
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One | Building credit |
Petal 2 Visa Credit Card | No fees |
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card | Travel perks |
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
Best student cards
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
Bank of America® Travel Rewards
Card Name
Bank of America® Travel Rewards
APR
19.24% - 29.24%
Annual Fee
$0
Intro Offer
25,000 Online Bonus Points, a $250 travel or dining statement credit value, after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases everywhere, every time.
Why We Like It
- Unlimited 1.5 points on all purchases
- 25,000 online bonus points
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Card Name
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
APR
19.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Fair, Good, Excellent
Annual Fee
$0
Special Offer
$50 Bonus
Special Offer Terms
after first purchase made within the first 3 months from account opening
Rewards Rate
Earn 1% cash back on all purchases plus $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years
Terms
Why We Like It
- No annual fee.
- Earn a credit limit increase after making five monthly payments on time within 10 months from account opening.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back and rewards never expire.
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Card Name
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
APR
26.74%
Recommended Credit Score
Limited History, No Credit, New-to-Credit
Annual Fee
$0
Special Offer
N/A
Special Offer Terms
Rewards Rate
Why We Like It
- No annual fee.
Discover it® Student chrome
Discover it® Student chrome
Credit Card Issuer
Discover
APR
18.24% - 27.24%
Annual Fee
$0
Intro Offer
0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases.
Rewards Rate
Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
Why We Like It
- Unlimited cashback match on all cash back you've earned at the end of the first year.
- Redeem for cash in any amount, any time. Even use your rewards to shop for whatever you need at Amazon.com or at millions of online stores with PayPal.
- Your cash back never expires.
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Card Name
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
APR
29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited
Annual Fee
$0
Special Offer
Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases.
Special Offer Terms
Pay on time to boost your cash back to a total of 1.25% for that month
Rewards Rate
1% Cash Back on all purchases. 0.25% Cash Back bonus on the cash back you earn each month you pay on time. 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
Why We Like It
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- No hidden fees.
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
Petal 2
Card Name
Petal 2
APR
18.24% – 32.24%
Recommended Credit Score
None
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
You can earn up to 1.5 percent cash back on eligible purchases (with 12 on-time payments).
Why We Like It
- No credit history need; build your credit
- No annual fees
- No late payment or returned payment fees
Card Details
Credit limit of $300 to $10,000
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card Name
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
APR
19.99% - 29.99%
Recommended Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited
Annual Fee
$0
Special Offer
Earn $50 Cash Back
Special Offer Terms
when you spend $100 in the first three months
Rewards Rate
1.5 % Cash Back on every purchase, every day. 5 % Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply).
Terms
Special Offer Terms
when you spend $100 in the first three months
Why We Like It
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats
- No annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
Summary of the best student cards
Here’s a quick look at the important details of each card on this list. This summary can make it easier for you to choose the right student card for your needs:
Credit Card | APR | Reward Earning Potential |
Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card | 17.74% to 27.74% | 1.5% on all purchases |
Chase Freedom® Student credit card | 19.99% | Earn 1% cash back on all purchases plus $20 Good Standing Rewards after each account anniversary for up to 5 years |
Citi® Secured Mastercard® | 26.74% | N/A |
Discover it Student Chrome | 17.74% - 26.74% | 2% cash back on restaurant and gas station purchases up to $1k in combined purchases per quarter, 1% cash back on all other purchases |
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One | 29.99% | 1% Cash Back on all purchases. 0.25% Cash Back bonus on the cash back you earn each month you pay on time. 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). |
Petal 2 Visa | 17.74% – 31.74% | 1% cash back on all purchases, 1.5% after 1st year, 2%-10% bonus cash back opportunities at select merchants |
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card | 19.99% - 29.99% | 1.5 % Cash Back on every purchase, every day. 5 % Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). |
FAQs
Can I get a student credit card with limited credit?
Yes. Many student credit cards are made specifically for people with limited credit or a lower credit score. Applying for a student credit card is an excellent way to increase the odds of getting accepted for a card. Plus, you’ll be able to improve your credit once you have your new student card.
What should I look for in a student card?
You want to make sure you’re choosing a credit card that will meet your needs. Here are some things to look for as you consider student card options:
- A student card shouldn’t charge an annual fee, so look for a card with no annual fee.
- Consider the APR before you apply for a student card.
- If you have limited credit, choose a student card made for young adults with lower credit scores.
- Check to see if the card charges foreign transaction fees.
- Make sure the card will work well for your spending habits.
- Do check to see if the card offers rewards-earning potential and if there are specific bonus categories.
- See if there is flexibility with how you can redeem rewards.
How old do I have to be to get a credit card?
Most card issuers require you to be 18 years old before you get a credit card. If you’re a high school student who is soon going off to college, you may want to consider getting a card as soon as you turn 18. This will allow you to build healthy spending habits before you move away to college.
Why should you use student cards
Student cards can be very beneficial. These credit cards allow students and young adults with limited credit history to build their credit and improve their money management skills.
Be sure to consider all fees associated with the above card. These cards have no annual fee, but you'll pay interest charges if you don’t pay off your monthly balance. These charges can add up quickly. You must be responsible when getting a credit card. Charging only purchases you can afford and paying off immediately is the best bet.
It’s also important to know any minimum spending requirements to take advantage of intro bonus point offers or special card perks. You’ll usually need to spend a minimum amount of money within a specific time frame to earn bonus points, and other exclusions may be in place.
Most student cards won’t offer significant rewards opportunities. Don’t plan to earn big, but do plan to work on your credit and build it so that you’ll be eligible for better rewards card opportunities in the future.
Raise Your Credit 80 points*
- 5 star service trusted by over 450,000 members
- Have processed over $11,000,000 in bill payments for members
- No deposit, no credit check, no interest
- New member promotions available
*Potential increase based on StellarFi member data. StellarFi numbers observed an average of 80 points VantageScore® 3.0 increase during a member’s lifetime. Score increase based on members with an incoming score range of 300-499 pts, who made regular on-time payments, with regular on-time payments. Results may vary.
The bottom line
If you’re a student or a young adult with limited credit history, getting a student credit card is a smart idea. You can build your credit, better learn how to manage money, and take your little credit and turn it into a fair credit or good credit score. Keep an eye out for credit card offers targeted at college students and young adults.
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JoyWallet has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. JoyWallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
Writer
Natasha has been a freelance writer since 2015. She specializes in credit card and credit card rewards content. When not busy writing, she's either dreaming up her next credit card rewards redemption or traveling the globe. Her goal is to encourage more people to experience the world around them while making smart financial choices.
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