Top 10 Student Credit Cards
Student credit cards are specifically designed for college students, offering them an opportunity to build their credit history early in life. These cards often come with lower credit limits and fewer rewards compared to standard credit cards but are more accessible to individuals with limited or no prior credit history.
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Student credit cards can serve as a valuable financial tool when used responsibly. They help students establish a credit score, which is crucial for future financial endeavors such as applying for loans, renting apartments, or even getting a job. Many student credit cards come with educational resources to teach young users about credit management, budgeting, and financial responsibility. Additionally, some cards offer benefits like cash back on purchases, discounts, or even rewards for good grades. However, it's essential for students to be mindful of potential pitfalls such as high-interest rates and fees for late payments. Mismanagement can lead to debt accumulation and damage to their credit score, which can have long-term consequences. Therefore, while student credit cards provide a gateway to financial independence, they require disciplined usage and a solid understanding of credit principles.
Discover it® Student Cash BackView AllDiscover it® Student Cash Back - Student credit card with cashback and no annual fee.
Journey® Student Rewards from Capital OneView AllJourney® Student Rewards from Capital One - Journey® Student Rewards: Cashback, no annual fee, credit-building.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards for StudentsView AllBank of America® Travel Rewards for Students - Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students offers unlimited travel rewards.
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for StudentsView AllDeserve® EDU Mastercard for Students - Student credit card with no fees, cash back rewards.
Chase Freedom® Student credit cardView AllChase Freedom® Student credit card - No annual fee, rewards on purchases, credit-building benefits.
Citi Rewards+℠ Student CardView AllCiti Rewards+℠ Student Card - Student credit card with points rounding and no annual fee.
Wells Fargo Cash Back College CardView AllWells Fargo Cash Back College Card - Student-focused card offering cash back on purchases.
Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card for StudentsView AllBank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students - Student card with cashback on purchases, no annual fee.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit CardView AllCapital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card - No annual fee, cashback on dining and entertainment.
Top 10 Student Credit Cards
1.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a credit card designed for students, offering 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories and 1% on all other purchases. Benefits include no annual fee, an introductory 0% APR on purchases for six months, and a dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned in the first year. Additionally, it provides tools for building credit, such as free FICO® score access, and rewards for good grades, making it an ideal choice for students looking to establish credit.
Pros
Cashback rewards- No annual fee
- Good grades reward
- Introductory APR
- Freeze it® feature.
Cons
Limited 5% categories- Foreign transaction fee
- Requires fair credit
- Limited acceptance abroad
- Potential high APR after intro period.
2.
Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One
The Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One is a credit card tailored for students, offering 1% cash back on all purchases, with the potential to boost it to 1.25% by paying on time each month. It features no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and tools to help build and monitor credit. The card is designed to promote responsible credit use while providing rewards and benefits suited to students' needs and lifestyles.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 1% cash back on all purchases
- 1.25% cash back if paid on time
- build credit history
- user-friendly mobile app.
Cons
- High APR
- limited rewards categories
- no sign-up bonus
- foreign transaction fees
- requires average credit score.
3.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students card offers a straightforward, no-annual-fee rewards program ideal for students. Earn 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, with no expiration on points. Redeem points for travel-related expenses like flights, hotels, and more without blackout dates. Additionally, the card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for students studying abroad. A 25,000-point bonus offer is available after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Unlimited 1.5 points per $1
- No foreign transaction fees
- Intro APR on purchases
- Points never expire.
Cons
- High credit score required
- No travel partners
- Limited redemption options
- No travel insurance
- Average rewards rate.
4.
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is a credit card designed specifically for college students, offering 1% cash back on all purchases. It requires no credit history or security deposit, making it ideal for those new to credit. Benefits include Amazon Prime Student subscription reimbursement (up to $59) and no foreign transaction fees. The card helps students build credit responsibly while enjoying various perks tailored to their needs.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 1% cashback
- no SSN for international students
- cell phone protection
- Amazon Prime Student offer.
Cons
-
High APR
- limited credit limit
- no intro APR
- no rewards categories
- no travel perks.
5.
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
The Chase Freedom® Student credit card is designed to help students build credit while earning rewards. It offers 1% cash back on all purchases, with no annual fee. Cardholders can earn a $50 bonus after making their first purchase within the first three months. The card also includes features like free access to your credit score, no penalty APR, and automatic credit line reviews for potential increases. Ideal for students starting their credit journey responsibly.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Rewards on purchases
- Good for building credit
- Simple cashback program
- Introductory APR offer.
Cons
- Limited rewards categories
- Low credit limit
- High APR after intro period
- Foreign transaction fees
- Requires good financial habits.
6.
Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card
The Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card is a credit card designed for students, offering 2X ThankYou® Points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year, and 1X points on all other purchases. Unique to this card, every purchase is rounded up to the nearest 10 points. It also features a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 7 months, making it a great option for students looking to build credit and earn rewards.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Easy rewards earning
- Round-up rewards feature
- Intro APR on purchases
- Flexible redemption options.
Cons
-
Foreign transaction fee
- Limited travel rewards
- High APR after intro period
- Requires good credit
- Limited benefits compared to other cards.
7.
Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card
The Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card is designed for college students, offering a straightforward rewards program with 1% cash back on all purchases. It features no annual fee and provides tools to help build credit responsibly. Cardholders can also benefit from a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first six months. Additionally, the card includes features like cell phone protection and access to Wells Fargo’s financial education resources.
Pros
- No annual fee
- 3% cash back on select categories
- 1% cash back on other purchases
- cell phone protection
- $200 cash rewards bonus.
Cons
- High APR for some
- limited rewards categories
- foreign transaction fee
- no intro APR for purchases
- cash back must be redeemed in $25 increments.
8.
Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
The Bank of America® Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is designed to help students build credit while earning rewards on everyday purchases. It offers 3% cash back in a category of your choice, 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined quarterly purchases), and 1% on all other purchases. With no annual fee, this card provides a practical way for students to manage expenses and gain financial literacy while enjoying cash-back benefits.
Pros
- 3% cash back in a chosen category.
No annual fee.
Intro APR on purchases.
$200 online cash rewards bonus.
2% cash back at grocery stores.
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees.
High regular APR.
Limited bonus categories.
Minimum redemption amounts.
Rewards capped at $2
- 500 per quarter.
9.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is designed for students seeking to build credit while earning rewards. It offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, plus 1% on all other purchases. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it's a cost-effective choice for students. Additionally, responsible use can help build credit history, making it a practical option for young adults starting their financial journey.
Pros
- No annual fee
-
3% cash back on dining
-
3% cash back on entertainment
-
3% cash back at grocery stores
-
1% cash back on all other purchases.
Cons
- High APR for unpaid balances
-
Foreign transaction fees
-
Limited international acceptance
-
Requires good credit
-
Low initial credit limit.