- Earn 3% back on popular purchase categories for students.
- No annual or foreign transaction fees.
- Flexible cash redemption options.
AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.
Updated June 18, 2024
College students are in that in-between place with adolescence on one side and adulthood on the other. The period from the time you leave your house to the time you start paying your own bills is crucial to building good spending habits and establishing the foundation of your future awesome credit score.
The cards in this list are all tailored for young adults who are new to credit and are ready to take the great leap into adulting.
Best credit cards for students
- card_name: Best for cash back on popular categories.
- card_name: Best for flat rate cash back.
- card_name: Best for first-year cash back.
- [Chime(R) Credit Builder Secured Credit Builder Visa(R) Card](https://secure.money.com/pr/x862a0945b85): Best for building credit.
- U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card: Best for study abroad.
Our top recommendations
card_name: Best for cash back on popular categories
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
Cons:
- APR can be high for some applicants.
- Few travel and purchase protection benefits.
- Grocery store rewards don’t work at Walmart or Target.
The card_name is exclusively available to college students. It features 3% cash back in some of the most popular purchase categories for students: dining, grocery stores, entertainment and eligible streaming services. You earn 1% everywhere else. There’s no annual fee or foreign transaction fee, and you can redeem cash back for a check, statement credit or to cover specific purchases.
Because the Capital One SavorOne for Students has very similar features to Capital One’s regular SavorOne Cash Back Card that requires Good to Excellent credit, this is a good deal for students who may not have a credit history.
card_name: Best for flat rate cash back
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Pros:
- Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limits.
- No annual or foreign transaction fees.
- Flexible cash redemption options.
Cons:
- APR can be high for some applicants.
- Few travel and purchase protection benefits.
- No bonus reward categories.
card_name is exclusively available to college students. It comes with flat 1.5% cash back for all purchases and no annual fee. Rewards are redeemable for a check, statement credit or to cover specific purchases.
While purchase and travel protections are limited, it’s a great starter card for students. The flat rewards are good for young adults who aren’t sure what their regular spending will be, and with no annual fee, it’s a card you can keep for a while as you build credit. It also doesn’t have a foreign transaction fee if your student decides to take it on a year abroad.
card_name: Best for first-year cash back
Chase Freedom Rise℠
Chase Freedom Rise℠
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it
The no annual fee card_name is an easy win for those with limited (or no) credit history. You’ll get a respectable 1.5% cash back on all purchases, as well as a $25 statement credit after enrolling in autopay.
The main draw of this card is its low approval standards. If you’re new to credit, this unsecured credit card is a top-notch option to build your credit profile. It offers a credit limit increase in as soon as six months (based on healthy usage), and it lets you track your credit score for free.
Pros:
- Easier approval with $250 in a Chase checking account.
- No annual fee.
- Unlimited cash back rewards.
Cons:
- Checking account must be at Chase for higher approval odds.
- Minimal travel insurance benefits.
- No bonus categories with higher rewards.
The card_name is a credit card designed for users who are newer to credit and have a banking relationship with Chase. If you have at least $250 in a Chase checking account, you get higher chances of approval, even without an excellent credit history. Approval still isn’t guaranteed, but the higher approval odds are helpful to many young people, such as college students.
The card features 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases, with higher rates for certain partners, including Lyft. New users can earn a $25 bonus after enrolling in automatic payments. It includes purchase protection and extended warranty protection, which can be valuable for new purchases. It also includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance, but notably lacks rental car coverage. Overall, it’s a compelling package for someone new to credit cards.
card_name: Best for building credit
Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Credit score
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome bonus
bonus_miles_full
Disclosure
Chime® is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. The Chime Visa® Debit Card and the Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card are issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa debit and credit cards are accepted.
Pros:
- Made for anyone with no credit or bad credit.
- No interest or annual fees.
- No minimum security deposit requirement.
Cons:
- Chime checking account required.
- No bonus or rewards.
- No travel insurance or purchase protection benefits.
The [Chime(R) Credit Builder Secured Credit Builder Visa(R) Card](https://secure.money.com/pr/x862a0945b85) is a credit card available with no credit check. Accounts are tied to a Chime Bank account, which is used to fund the security deposit and set the card’s credit limit. Cards are automatically paid off from the security deposit balance, so there’s never any interest charged. There are also no annual fees.
This card is ideal for someone wanting to learn responsible credit management who isn’t worried about earning rewards. It’s not as great as some other cards on this list for building a credit score because it doesn’t report credit utilization to the credit bureaus, which is 20% to 30% of your credit score depending on the scoring model. But that’s a small concern balanced against its benefits.
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card: Best for study abroad
U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card
Credit score
Bad/Poor
Annual fees
$0
Welcome bonus
None
Pros:
- Choose your credit limit from $300 to $5,000.
- No annual fee.
- Includes up to 5% cash back on bonus category purchases.
Cons:
- Cash deposit required equal to credit limit.
- 5% cash back limited to $2,000 in quarterly purchases.
- Low 1% cash back on non-bonus purchases.
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card is a cash back rewards card for those with no credit or bad credit. You can choose any credit limit from $300 to $5,000 but have to put down a security deposit equal to your credit limit. There’s no annual fee, and users earn cash back with every purchase.
The top 5% cash back rate is for two categories you choose from a list, including fast food, cell phone providers, and furniture stores. However, that’s limited to $2,000 in quarterly combined purchases. You can earn 5% back on eligible travel booked through US Bank’s online travel portal. Users also earn 2% back on one of three “everyday categories” of their choosing. Those categories are gas stations and EV charging stations, grocery stores and grocery delivery, and restaurants. If you use the card responsibly, you can upgrade to a non-secured version in the future.
Best credit cards for students 2024: Comparison
| Card name | Annual fees | Welcome bonus | Credit score |
|---|---|---|---|
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
card_name | annual_fees | bonus_miles | credit_score_needed |
Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students | $0 | 25,0000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days | 670 |
How we chose the best student credit cards
We compared card offers based on the following criteria: Credit rating required, rewards rates, welcome offers, flexibility, variable APRs, Annual fees, consumer protections included and benefits specific to students like travel benefits, insurance and perks.
Ultimately, we looked for credit cards that offer the most valuable rewards and features, as well as flexibility within their designated rewards programs. In all cases, benefits such as consumer protections and travel insurance perks were considered.
Choosing the best student credit card: Where to begin
If you’re hunting for the best student credit card, consider these important aspects of your finances and the card’s features:
Credit card fees
Credit card fees are crucial for students to understand because they can quickly erode any rewards earned and potentially lead to debt. Key fees to watch out for include annual fees, which are charged just for holding the card, and late payment fees, which can be costly and impact credit scores. Also significant are foreign transaction fees, especially for students studying abroad, as these can add considerable costs to overseas purchases.
Credit card rewards
Credit card rewards can be a major perk for students, offering benefits like cash back or points on everyday purchases. These rewards can be used for essentials like groceries, textbooks or even fun experiences, making them a practical tool for budget-conscious students. Students can maximize benefits by choosing a card with rewards aligned to their spending habits without altering their lifestyle.
Related: Best rewards credit cards
Benefits and protections
Credit card benefits and protections are another important feature, offering an added layer of security on their purchases and travel plans. Purchase protection can safeguard against theft or damage of newly bought items. Travel insurance benefits provide coverage for rental cars and unexpected travel mishaps, which is invaluable for students studying abroad or traveling during breaks.
Are student credit cards worth it?
Student credit cards are an excellent way for young adults to start with credit. Establishing good credit habits, such as on-time payments and keeping your balance low, helps you build a positive credit score over time. Also, paying off balances in full every month by the due date is essential to avoid interest charges.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is it easy to get a student credit card?
Some student credit cards are designed for applicants with no credit or less-than-perfect credit histories. Depending on your desired student credit card, it may be easy to get approved. The application process usually takes just a few minutes when applying online.
How old do I have to be to get a student card?
Most credit card companies require applicants to be at least 21 years old to be approved for a credit card. Some cards may be available at 18 years old or if there’s a co-applicant.
Should I get two or more credit cards as a student?
Having two credit cards is a good idea if you can manage them responsibly. Multiple cards can help you build credit faster while also offering a backup in case one card is lost or stolen.
Can international students apply for a credit card?
International students can get some credit cards. Most cards require a tax ID number called an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which takes the place of a Social Security number on the application.
What do I do with my student card after I graduate?
Some student credit cards continue to work as before after graduation. Others may convert to a non-student version of the card.
Am I required to have a job to get a student credit card?
You can get a credit card if you don’t have a job, but you may have to prove some form of income to obtain a new credit card.
How is a student credit card different from a regular credit card?
Student cards are regular credit cards designed for the unique needs of students. That may include lower credit score requirements or specific benefits and rewards.
AP Buyline’s content is created independently of The Associated Press newsroom. Our evaluations and opinions are not influenced by our advertising relationships, but we might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content. Learn more about our policies and terms here.