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Building credit at an early age can help ease the financial transition from the life of a student into an adult lifestyle. A good credit score could not only help you qualify for a loan and land a job, but it can also help you save money and qualify for the best interest rates.
If you're a student and want to start building credit, here are the important things to know, as well as our picks for the best credit cards for students.
Compare the best student credit cards
| Credit Card | Rewards Rate | Welcome Bonus | Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
/images/2024/12/13/discover_it_student_cash_back_card_art_-_12-13-24.png)
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Discover it® Student Cash Back 4.75
|
1% - 5%
Cash back
|
Cashback Match™
|
Balance Transfer:
10.99%, 6 months
Purchases:
0%, 6 months
|
17.24% - 26.24% Variable
|
$0
|
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card For Living Off Campus /images/2024/12/18/capital_one_savor_student_card_art.png)
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Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card 5.0
|
1% - 8%
Cash Back
|
$50 Cash Bonus
$100 Cash Bonus
|
Balance Transfer:
N/A, N/A
Purchases:
N/A, N/A
|
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
|
$0
|
|
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card /images/2025/02/18/capital_one_quicksilver_card_art_-_2-18-25.png)
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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card 5.0
|
1.5% - 5%
Cash Back
|
$50 Cash Bonus
$100 Cash Bonus
|
Balance Transfer:
N/A, N/A
Purchases:
N/A, N/A
|
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
|
$0
|
/images/2024/12/16/bofa-travel-rewards-students.png)
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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students 4.8
Apply Now
on Bank of America's secure website
|
1.5X - 3X
Points
|
25,000
Points
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days
Purchases:
0%, 15 billing cycles
|
18.24% - 28.24% Variable
|
$0
|
|
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card for Building Credit /images/2024/12/13/discover_it_student_chrome_card_art_-_12-13-24.png)
Apply Now
Discover it® Student Chrome 4.55
|
1% - 2%
Cash back
|
Cashback Match™
|
Balance Transfer:
10.99%, 6 months
Purchases:
0%, 6 months
|
17.24% - 26.24% Variable
|
$0
|
Discover it® Student Cash Back
/images/2024/12/13/discover_it_student_cash_back_card_art_-_12-13-24.png)
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No credit score required to apply.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.24% - 26.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
This card is gunning to be the valedictorian of the student credit card category.
What we love about this card: The Discover it Student Cash Back boasts an incredible cashback reward rate: You can earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. It also offers a lucrative first-year Cashback Match™.
The Discover bonus category calendar is released in advance, so you can check the categories for the next quarter and plan ahead. And here's the kicker: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. That means you'll double all the rewards you earn on the bonus categories for the first year you have this card.
This can also be a very forgiving card if you're learning how to pay your monthly bills responsibly. Discover won't charge you a late fee for your first late payment or hit you with a penalty APR (this is an interest rate that is higher than your regular APR, meant to penalize a habit of making late payments). However, if you miss a subsequent payment, you'll pay a fee of up to $41.
So, whether you already have a few credit cards or are looking for your very first card, the $0-annual-fee Discover it Student Cash Back card could be a good choice.
What we don't love: The 5% rate on rotating categories when you activate is capped at $1,500 per quarter. And some types of Discover credit cards aren't as widely accepted abroad.
Who this card is good for: Students who want to earn high amounts of cash back on rotating categories, as well as a lucrative welcome bonus.
Read our Discover it Student Cash Back review.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card For Living Off Campus
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- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $100 when you spend $300 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
If you make a list of some of the largest expenses for students, what would you write down? It's likely that food and entertainment will come to mind as a few of those expenses. If this sounds about right for you, consider the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Card.
What we love about this card: This card has a $0 annual fee and focuses on providing bonus rewards for popular spending categories.
It offers 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal; unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores such as Walmart® and Target®); and 1% on all other purchases.
Students who travel or will study abroad might also find additional benefits helpful, such as no foreign transaction fees.
What we don't love: There's typically no introductory APR offers for balance transfers or purchases.
Who this card is good for: Students who have a lot of dining, travel, and entertainment expenses.
Apply now | Read our Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Card review.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card
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- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $100 when you spend $300 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Quicksilver is well known among Capital One credit cards because it's the name of one of the company's popular everyday cashback cards. And now there's a student version.
What we love about this card: The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees) is easy and straightforward, and it's an excellent option for students who want to earn simple cashback rates on all their purchases.
The Quicksilver Student offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
This means using your card on any eligible purchase will earn you at least the 1.5% cashback rate. In addition, you'll enjoy a $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
For students who want to build credit with an easy-to-understand cashback card, this could be a good fit.
What we don't love: There's typically no intro APR offer.
Who this card is good for: Students who want a simple, but elevated cashback rate and some travel benefits.
Apply now | Read our Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
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- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Consider the Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students if you want to earn travel rewards and already have some established credit history.
What we love about this card: Compared to traditional credit cards, this card doesn't skimp on the earning potential even though it's designed for students. The rewards rate makes it easy to earn bonus points on all your eligible purchases no matter what your spending habits are.
You can also take advantage of multiple intro APR offers:
- 0% intro APR for the 15 billing cycles on purchases (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable)
- 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (then 18.24% - 28.24% Variable)
Keep in mind there's a balance transfer fee of 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4% for qualifying balance transfers.
What we don't love: You likely need a bit of established credit history to qualify for this card, which means many students might not be eligible since they're just starting out with learning correct credit habits.
Who this card is good for: Students who have some established credit history and want a travel rewards card with a simple earning rate.
Read our Bank of America Travel Rewards Card for Students review.
Discover it® Student Chrome
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card for Building Credit
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- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No credit score required to apply.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 17.24% - 26.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Do you use your card mostly for gas and restaurants? If so, the Discover it Student Chrome may be the perfect card for you.
What we love about this card: This card is similar to the Discover it Student Cash Back card because it has a $0 annual fee and a generous Cashback Match™ for the first full year, which will match the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year.
But there's one key difference to consider when deciding which Discover it Student card is right for you. With the Discover it Student Chrome, you can earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. This means you don't have to worry about rotating categories each quarter.
What we don't love: There's less earning potential compared to the Discover it Student Cash Back.
Who this card is good for: Students who spend a lot at restaurants and gas stations.
Read our Discover it Student Chrome review.
Why it's important to build credit as a student
Having good credit can impact several areas of your life, including your employment status (some employers will check your credit score); the price you pay for services, such as your phone bill; your likelihood to be approved for a mortgage or a car loan; and more.
Here are a few things having a great credit score can help you accomplish:
- Rental approval
- Lower utility bill costs
- Loan approvals
- Lower interest rates
- Lower insurance premium payment amounts
- Credit card approval
- Career advancement
While it's tempting to wait until after college to start building credit, you may want to begin as soon as possible. Length of credit history is an important factor in your credit score. Length of credit history takes into account how long you've had credit and the average age of all your accounts. Establishing a credit history early can help you ace this part of your credit score.
Opening your first credit card as a student is a great way to establish your credit early, as long as you can commit to making your monthly payments on time and in full. (Payment history is another important factor in your credit score.) Credit card companies know that many students want to work toward financial security, so many of them offer credit cards tailored to those students.
How do I get a credit card if I'm a student?
It's typically as simple as applying for one. Student credit cards are designed for young adults who have little or no credit history. For that reason, they typically have less strict eligibility requirements.
So even if you've never had a credit product before, you could still qualify for a student credit card.
Student credit card application requirements
Different credit card applications tend to have the same basic requirements, even if there might be a few small differences depending on the specific card and card issuer. In general, you have to provide:
- Personal information, including your full name, address, and phone number
- Whether you're a U.S. citizen
- Whether you're a student
- Student information, which could include your expected graduation date or year in college
- Your employment status
- Your total gross income
- Your monthly housing/rent debt
As mentioned above, the requirements could vary depending on the specific application and credit card issuer.
How to compare student credit cards
Comparing credit cards is a bit of a challenge. With all of the options available, how do you find a suitable credit card for your needs? We've broken down some of the important factors to consider when deciding which card is right for you.
Annual fee
Some credit cards come with an annual fee. Credit cards typically charge this fee in exchange for extra rewards and perks or because the borrower has bad credit. This fee is added to your bill and may gather interest if it isn't paid in full each month. While many credit card annual fees are under $100, some can range higher.
If you're considering a card with a fee, decide if the extra benefits outweigh the costs. Or, if you have poor credit and can't get approved for another card, the fee may be worth it in order to build credit.
Foreign transaction fees
A foreign transaction fee is what your credit card issuer charges for foreign currency purchases made with your card. To process these foreign transactions, your credit card company might charge a percentage of the purchase, usually between 1 to 3%. If you plan to remain in the U.S. for the duration of your studies, this may not be an issue. However, if you plan to travel or study abroad, then you should note whether or not your credit card charges you foreign transaction fees.
Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
There are three primary credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — that store and gather your financial data. Lenders use this information to determine if they're willing to lend you money for a house or car — or for you to open a credit account.
Almost all major credit cards report to all three bureaus on at least a monthly basis. Still, it's a good idea to check your credit score regularly to make sure your card and payments are being reported correctly. Since the purpose of a student credit card is to establish and build credit, you want to ensure your good credit history is properly documented. You can easily check your credit score for free through a service like Credit Karma.
Other factors to consider
Depending on your personal situation, there may be certain factors you want to consider in choosing the best student credit card.
- Welcome offers: It's not typical that a student credit card offers a sign-up bonus or welcome offer for new cardholders soon after account opening, but some do. Qualifying for a welcome offer could greatly boost your earning potential within the first few months as a new cardmember.
- Earning potential: For earning rewards on new purchases in specific categories, you may want a card that offers a rewards rate on the kind of spending you do over the course of the school year. For example, a card that provides bonus cash back or points on groceries. If your spending tends to vary between categories, a flat-rate rewards card for everyday purchases might make more sense.
- Card benefits: Credit cards can have different types of perks and benefits, such as mobile app integration or being able to use travel or dining credits after benefit enrollment. In some cases, like if you plan to travel, you might want to choose between different card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, or Discover. Remember to compare benefits between cards to find what works best for your personal situation and financial goals.
FAQs
What is the best credit card for a college student with no credit?
Many college students have limited or no credit history. But that doesn't mean you can't get approved for a student credit card. The best card for you depends on many factors, like the categories you spend the most money on, your current credit history, and how much effort you want to spend maximizing categories. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a great student credit card for nearly everyone.
Can I get a student credit card without a job?
Yes! It is possible to get a credit card without a job — with some stipulations. Generally, you must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a credit card and if you're under 21 you'll need to provide proof of your financial assets or income. Otherwise, you'll need to have a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult co-sign on the credit card for you.
You'll also most likely need to provide your Social Security number. If you are an international student and you don't have a Social Security number, you may still have options when it comes to applying for a student credit card. Be sure to call the credit card issuer and find out what their requirements are.
What's a good credit score for a college student?
The FICO score is the most commonly used metric to rate credit. According to the FICO scale, a "good" credit rating is between 670-739 for anyone, including students.
How can a college student build credit?
Your credit score is determined by factors like how long your credit history is, how much of your currently available credit line you are utilizing, and whether or not you have a history of late payments. It can seem like a bit of a challenge to build your credit history if no one will give you credit because you don't have a history.
If you have no credit or a limited credit history and need a place to start to build your score, consider getting added to someone else's card as an authorized user.
You may also consider getting a secured credit card instead of a regular credit card (also known as an unsecured credit card). Secured cards typically don't check your credit report or have very lenient credit history requirements. Instead, you'll need to put down a security deposit that is equal to the credit line you are given.
Can I get a student credit card if I just graduated?
Usually not. Each credit card issuer requires proof that you're enrolled in school, but each also has different definitions. For some cards you must provide proof you're attending a 2- or 4-year college, while others only check to make sure you meet the income and credit minimums. If you already have a student card when you graduate, some issuers will allow you to keep your student card, but others require that you change to a different card or upgrade your card once you're no longer a student.
Are student credit cards worth it?
They're worth it because they could help you build your credit history while you're in school. That could lead to better financial opportunities after graduation, such as qualifying for a car loan or mortgage. It also helps that student credit cards are typically easy to qualify for since they have less strict requirements.
Bottom line
Part of being a student is working toward the future you envision for yourself. This means practicing skills both inside and outside the classroom. Your financial education and learning to build a good credit score are part of your college years as well. You may already have a bank account and a debit card, but applying for a credit card could be the right next step for you when it comes to your personal finances.
Just remember that unlike a debit card, you can spend more than you are capable of paying for when you use a credit card. Start your credit history on a good foot by spending responsibly and always paying at least your minimum payment by the due date.
Methodology
To select the best credit cards for students, we compared cards from multiple issuers. We assessed features like rewards programs, annual fees, welcome offers, and credit requirements to identify the most student-friendly options. We did not include all cards available.
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Current Offer
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.