Best credit cards for students of November 2023
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 3:15 p.m. UTC Nov. 28, 2023
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Getting a student credit card is a smart first step to establishing a credit history. As a student, you might be wondering whether you should even bother with getting a credit card this early in life, and the answer will typically be a resounding “yes!” Your credit score can open up doors for you as an adult to rent an apartment, lease or buy a car and get a mortgage. You’ll want good-to-excellent credit for those things, and a student card can be a great way to get there.
Most student cards don’t carry annual fees, making it easy to justify getting one. The best student credit cards have a welcome bonus or reward you generously for everyday purchases. Earning at least 1% cash back on all spending and elevated rates of 2% to 5% in select categories is plenty, especially since your main goal with a student card is not to accrue a lot of rewards, but rather to establish credit history and build a great credit score.
Generally, after graduation, you’ll keep your credit card and it will continue to operate the same way — though if you received any student-focused perks, such as rewards for good grades, you won’t get those any longer. If you land a job with a higher salary after finishing school, make sure to update your income with the issuer, as that may qualify you for a credit limit increase.
Here are our selections.
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Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students
: Best for category bonuses
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Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students
: Best for an intro APR
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Discover it® Student Cash Back *
The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: Best credit cards for students
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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card *
The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: Best for simple rewards
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Discover it® Student Chrome *
The information for the Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: Best for dining and gas
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Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card *
The information for the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
: Best for eating in or out
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 15+ cards analyzed.
- 6 data points considered.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
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Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
Best credit cards for students of November 2023
Best for travel rewards
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
Best for category bonuses
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students
Best for an intro APR
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students
Best credit cards for students
Discover it® Student Cash Back
*The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for simple rewards
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for dining and gas
Discover it® Student Chrome
*The information for the Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best for eating in or out
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Comparing the best credit cards for students :
Credit Card
Credit score
Best For
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
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.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match™ – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Earn $50 when you spend $100 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
Discover it® Student Chrome
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match™ – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Earn $50 cash bonus when you spend $100 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students checks many boxes when it comes to student credit cards. It offers a valuable welcome bonus and earns a strong 1.5 points per $1 on purchases. It also waives foreign transaction fees, so you can pack it for that bucket list trip abroad and not worry about being penalized for using it.
This card is also a great option if you need to finance a big-ticket item—for instance, maybe a new laptop before classes start—thanks to the lengthy 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days, and then a 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 1.5 points per $1 on purchases.
Welcome bonus: 25,000 points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Cardholders get free access to their FICO Score and enjoy no foreign transaction fees when using this card abroad. However, be aware when redeeming rewards that the most lucrative option is for statement credits to offset travel and dining purchases, which will net you one cent per point. Redeemed for cash back, each point is worth just 0.6 cents each.
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students offers generous rewards on common spending categories and a solid welcome bonus. New cardmembers earn a $200 cash rewards after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. While the minimum spending is easy for most households, college students on a budget might have a hard time reaching this goal. Thus, a great time to apply for this card would be the beginning of a semester, when you’re getting textbooks, buying parking passes and stocking up on essentials.
The card does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, which is not ideal if traveling abroad.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (on up to $2,500 in the 3% and 2% cash back categories combined each quarter) and 1% cash back on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
Other benefits and drawbacks: A big plus is that this card comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers, after that a variable APR of 18.24% to 28.24% applies. Balance transfer must be completed in the first 60 days and a 3% fee applies to all balance transfers. One downside to the card is that elevated rewards are capped in combined purchases each quarter.
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students is a great card if you want a straightforward cash-back program and a lengthy period of no interest. New cardholders get a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then a standard APR of 18.24% to 28.24% variable. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers. The card also earns 1.5% cash back on purchases and provides a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending at least $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening. This can be a very rewarding credit card if you’re a college student looking for simple rewards and a solid intro APR offer.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 1.5% cash back on purchases.
Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards bonus after spending at least $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Access your FICO Score for free when you opt in.
The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
For students willing to put in the work of activating a new category each quarter, the Discover it® Student Cash Back * The information for the Discover it® Student Cash Back has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. has the potential to be very rewarding. You’ll earn 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum once activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum once activated and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Track your credit-building progress with free access to your FICO Score. Sign up for alerts in case your SSN is found on the dark web. Freeze your card online or in Discover’s mobile app in the event that you misplace it.
The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. has a low but attainable welcome bonus of $50 cash bonus after spending $100 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Most students will find this spending requirement feasible and the cash bonus a nice little bit of pocket money. Plus, you earn cash back on everyday purchases at a solid rate of 10% cash back on Uber & Uber Eats through 11/14/2024, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on every other purchase.
And, there are no foreign transaction fees, making this a fine choice for a study abroad trip.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 10% cash back on Uber & Uber Eats through 11/14/2024, 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% cash back on every other purchase.
Welcome bonus: $50 cash bonus after spending $100 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Not only do you save $9.99 per month in Uber One membership fees but you’ll also get cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases through 11/14/2024. This benefit can go a long way during nights out or those times when you need pizza to sustain a late night study session.
The information for the Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Discover it® Student Chrome * The information for the Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. may not offer a traditional welcome bonus but still offers an excellent value proposition during the first year—all cash back you earn will be matched.
The regular earning rates are 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first cardmember year.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Monitor your FICO Score for free, giving you a way to track your progress building credit. Freeze your card online or in the Discover mobile app if your card is ever misplaced. Sign up to get alerts in the event your SSN is found out on the dark web.
The information for the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is ideal for aspiring travelers, providing generous earnings on travel booked through Capital One, and for foodies too — thanks to strong rewards rates on dining out and grocery shopping.
Cardholders also won’t pay foreign transaction fees abroad, which usually adds another 3% to your tab, making this a fine choice if you plan to study abroad and experience different cultures and cuisines.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 10% cash back on Uber & Uber Eats through 11/14/2024, 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: $50 cash bonus after spending $100 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Extended warranty, travel accident insurance, complimentary concierge service, access to your VantageScore with CreditWise.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Our methodology was based on factors including potential to qualify as a student, if there was a pre-approval check, rewards, welcome bonuses, 0% intro APRs and foreign transaction fees.
Should you get a student credit card?
“If you’re new to credit, you want to be sure you understand what a credit score is and what the common credit score factors are. This knowledge can help you make the best financial and credit decisions as you pursue any credit goals you have.
As you consider how to build credit, it may seem overwhelming. There are so many credit cards out there. Before you choose a new credit card, you want to consider the impact it will have on your credit health and whether that card fits your financial needs and goals. Making well-informed decisions will help keep you on the right track.
Additionally, consistently monitoring your credit reports becomes an integral part of building and managing your credit health, so you can better track your goals and help you combat potential fraud,” says Margaret Poe, head of consumer credit education at TransUnion.
As a student, you probably have limited credit history, if any at all. You won’t qualify for most of the best credit cards on the market, which may not be a priority now, but can be more important after college.
Plus, you’ll likely need to rent an apartment, and many landlords will run a credit check to determine whether you’ll be a reliable tenant. If you want to take out a car loan, or eventually a mortgage, having good-to-excellent credit can ensure you get the best rates available.
While having a parent cosign for you may be a viable workaround, having established credit of your own will become more essential as you go through life.
Getting a student credit card and using it responsibly is a great way to begin that journey. Most student credit cards are unsecured, meaning you don’t have to provide the issuer a security deposit. That makes them ideal for college students who want to build their credit history without having to tie $200 to $500 up for a minimum deposit on a secured card.
Student cards may often be issued with small credit limits, making it harder to accrue debt, which is a good thing. However, that doesn’t mean they’re completely without risk. Before getting a student credit card, it’s worthwhile to take a financial literacy course and learn about how to manage money responsibly. Familiarize yourself with how credit card interest works and what penalties you’ll incur if you pay late or miss a payment.
By being well informed ahead of time, you can avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the benefits of having a student credit card. One tip you should know right away: You don’t need to carry a balance on your card to build credit history. In fact, it’s better if you don’t carry a balance and rather pay the account off in full every month, because that typically lets you avoid interest charges.
What is a student credit card?
A student credit card is usually an unsecured card (meaning it doesn’t require a security deposit) targeted at college students. Student credit cards typically are more accepting of applicants with no credit history or thin credit files, and may have lower income requirements, than cards aimed at non-students. This makes it easier for students to qualify and establish credit.
In other respects, a student card will function like any other credit card. You’ll make charges on it and must repay what you borrow. If you make only the minimum monthly payment and roll over a balance, you’ll incur interest charges, unless you’re in a 0% intro APR period.
Note you must be at least 18 years old and have an income to qualify for a student credit card, as with any credit card. Possible sources for income may include part-time jobs, work study or an allowance regularly provided by the student’s parents.
Why you or your college student should get a student credit card
Student credit cards are a great way for college students to build credit. They typically carry no annual fees and most don’t require a deposit, so it doesn’t cost anything to get started. They’re also easier to qualify for, since their credit score requirements are lower than non-student credit cards.
But one caveat is that most student credit cards have high interest rates, which could be challenging for students who aren’t used to managing their own finances. These high interest rates could lead to debt if you end up overspending and carrying a balance.
When to get a student credit card
The minimum age of 18 is the lowest legal age limit to get a credit card. The benefit of getting a credit card at 18 is that you’ll get an early start in building your own credit history, and length of credit history is one of the factors influencing your credit score.
You’ll also probably receive a card with a low spending limit, limiting the opportunity to get into serious debt, which can be a useful safeguard as you learn to navigate the world of credit responsibly.
Alternatively, you can build credit by being an authorized user on a parent or guardian’s credit card. Some cards may even allow the main cardholder to set limits on how much the authorized user can spend. Once you feel able to manage a credit card without going into debt, then you can apply for your own.
Before asking to be added to someone’s account as an authorized user, however, make sure they keep balances low and always pay on time. If you’re added to a card that’s maxed out, for example, that could hurt your credit score when you’ve barely started to build credit.
How to get a student credit card
You can apply for a student credit card if you’re 18 years old or older. You should be able to apply online—you’ll typically need to provide personal and financial information such as name, Social Security number, address and income.
The issuer may ask for proof of income or proof of college enrollment.
In many cases, you’ll get an approval or denial within minutes of submitting the online form.
Some issuers allow you to check if you’re preapproved for any of their credit cards. For example, Capital One offers an online preapproval check for the SavorOne Student and QuicksilverStudent credit cards. Preapproval doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive final approval when you actually apply, but does indicate you have a good chance.
What to look for when comparing student credit cards
When evaluating student credit cards, first make sure the cards you’re considering report to the three major consumer credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and don’t charge an annual fee. Next, evaluate them based on rewards programs, welcome bonuses and foreign transaction fees.
Every person will weigh these factors differently. If you plan to travel abroad, you want a card without a foreign transaction fee so you don’t suffer an additional 3% tacked on to every purchase. But if you have no plans to leave the country, a card with a foreign transaction fee might be fine for you if it offers rewards in categories you find useful, such as gas or online shopping.
Ideally, getting a card from a major issuer — for example, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase or Discover—is good because you’re establishing a relationship. Down the line, that might help if you choose to apply for one of the issuer’s more upscale credit card offerings.
Alternatives to a student credit card
If you can’t qualify for a student credit card or don’t want one, there are several alternatives worth looking into. You can use a debit or prepaid card to manage your money and pay for expenses. You won’t build your credit history this way, but you also won’t be able to spend more than you have in your account. This is a good option if you’re worried about the debt trap so many people fall into with credit cards.
Another great alternative to a student credit card is to become an authorized user on a parent’s credit card. This option lets you establish your credit history and allows your parents to control your spending while helping you manage credit responsibly. Once you feel comfortable, you can get your own credit card and continue building credit.
If you go the authorized user route, make sure the primary cardholder keeps a low balance and always pays on time. This might be an awkward conversation to have, but you don’t want to risk someone else’s bad financial habits getting tacked on to your credit reports.
Be wary of student credit card debt
While student credit cards come with many upsides, there are a few things to be wary of.
When used without caution, credit cards can enable overspending and expensive debt. That’s particularly true when dealing with cards with high APRs, such as 20% or higher. And, remember that you’re considering a student credit card in the first place to establish good credit history. If you get stuck in a cycle of growing debt, you could end up hurting your credit due to high balances and potentially late or missed payments.
It’s important to understand the various fees and APRs involved with a credit card and only get a student credit card if you’re certain you can manage it responsibly.
A college student should have a credit card if they’re able to manage it without accruing debt. Credit cards are one of the best tools for building credit history and showing financial institutions that you’re a responsible borrower.
However, if you’ve had trouble managing your money in the past, then a student credit card of your own might not be a good idea. You could ask a trusted adult to add you as an authorized user on one of their cards — you don’t even need to physically have the card to build credit as long as you’re on the account.
Another option if you’ve struggled with managing your finances is the Chime Credit Builder Visa Secured Card. It reports to the credit bureaus, so you build credit history by using the card, but you fund the card with your Chime checking account rather than borrowing against a credit line like a traditional credit card involves.
To get a credit card, you must be at least 18 years of age and have an income. Without an income, you cannot open a credit card of your own. You could ask a parent to add you to one of their cards as an authorized user.
However, even if you don’t have a full-time job, you may have income that qualifies for credit card application purposes. For example, if your parents provide money each month to help with groceries and other expenses while you’re in college, you may be able to cite that allowance as income for the purposes of a student card.
International students may be able to apply for a student credit card, depending on the issuing bank’s requirements and whether the student has a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Most banks will require one of these.
One credit card is enough for a student to use to establish credit and build a good credit score. Plus, having only one card to manage reduces the chances of allowing debt to pile up or missing a payment date because you’re juggling multiple accounts.
Down the road, you may decide it’s worth having two or more credit cards to maximize rewards in various spending categories, or for benefits such as travel protections or airport lounge access. But when starting out, stick with one credit card.
Generally, you’ll be able to keep your credit card and continue using it.
It’s worth updating your income as soon as you begin your full-time career after graduation. Many student cards will come with low credit limits, and with a higher income, it’s likely you can qualify for a credit limit increase. A higher limit doesn’t mean you should spend more on the card, but can help your credit score by reducing your utilization — the percentage of your credit limit that you’re using.
Some student credit cards earn rewards at the same rates as non-student counterparts from the same issuer. In that case, there’s no reason not to keep using your card after graduation. But if your student card offers less attractive terms than non-student options, you may wish to call your issuer and request an upgrade (also called a “product change”) to a better card.
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.
Editor’s note: This article contains updated information from previously published stories:
*The information for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card, Discover it® Student Cash Back and Discover it® Student Chrome has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
