The best 7 student credit cards of May 2024

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Heading off to college is an exciting time filled with new experiences. It's also a critical point to start building your financial life — and your credit.

Luckily, many student credit cards can help you build your credit and earn rewards tailored to your lifestyle and budget.

We looked at dozens of cards' rewards, fees, and introductory offers to find the best student credit cards. Whether you eat out often, fill up on gas, commute around campus, or plan to study abroad, there is a card for you.

The key is choosing the right card for your spending habits and priorities. Compare these top options to pick the perfect match.

What are the best student credit cards?

The best student credit cards have no annual fee, earn rewards on everyday purchases, help build credit, and offer valuable benefits like cell phone protection or no foreign transaction fees. 

Top picks include Discover it Student, Capital One Quicksilver Student, and Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students

• Best overall: Discover it® Student Cash Back:
• Best for flat-rate cash back: Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for dining and entertainment: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
• Best for road trips, gas and groceries: Citi Rewards+® Card
• Best for travel rewards: Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
• Best for commuters: Discover it® Student Chrome card
• Best for building credit: Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best overall

Rewards:

• 5% cash back on activated rotating categories each quarter (up to $1,500 in combined purchases, then 1%)
• 1% on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

Discover offers one of the most rewarding cash back programs for college students. This card also has no annual fee, and you don’t need a credit score to apply.

The best part: Discover will match whatever cash back you earn in your first year, allowing you to double your rewards. Remember that you must be a U.S. citizen to apply, so if you are an international student, you may need to look at other options.

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for flat-rate cash back

Rewards:

• 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats (through Nov. 14, 2024)

Annual fee: $0

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a straightforward cash back program without an annual fee — perfect for students. You'll earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, including textbooks, meals, entertainment, and other daily expenses.

You can redeem rewards for statement credits to lower your balance, checks, gift cards, and more. Beyond rewards, this card provides security features like zero fraud liability, 24/7 travel assistance, and identity theft monitoring. Responsible cardholders may qualify for credit limit increases over time.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for dining and entertainment

Rewards:

• 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (through Nov. 14, 2024)
• 8% back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• 5% back on hotels and rental cars booked using Capital One Travel
• Unlimited 3% back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming subscriptions, and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores)
• 1% back on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card has cash rewards tailored to college spending. You’ll earn elevated cash back on Uber and Uber Eats, dining, streaming subscriptions, groceries, and more.

With no rotating categories or quarterly activation, earning rewards is straightforward. You can redeem cash back for statement credits, gift cards, or travel bookings via Capital One Travel.

There are no annual fees or foreign transaction fees. Cardholders can also access 24-hour travel assistance and a complimentary concierge service.

Citi Rewards+® Card: Best for road trips, gas and groceries

Rewards:

• Earn 5X points on rental car, hotel, and attraction purchases booked through Citi Travel (until June 30, 2024)
• 2X points at supermarkets and gas stations (up to $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1X points)
• 1X points on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

With its innovative round-up feature, the Citi Rewards+ Student Card can help you maximize your earnings if you spend a lot on gas and groceries.

Every purchase is rounded up to the nearest 10 points, so a $2.50 coffee earns 10 points instead of just 3 points. These little "boosts" add up quickly. You can redeem rewards for gift cards, travel, charitable donations, cash rewards, and more.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students: Best for travel rewards

Rewards: 1.5X points on all purchases

Annual fee: $0

The Bank of America Travel Rewards Student card offers a simple way to earn points for future getaways and study abroad adventures. You’ll earn unlimited 1.5x points on all purchases, from textbooks to takeout.

You can redeem points for statement credits for travel purchases, including flights and tourist attractions. Points can also be redeemed for cash rewards or gift cards. Remember that you need to accrue at least 2,500 points to redeem them.

This card has no foreign transaction fee, so it's a great companion for study abroad programs. It also offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.

Discover it® Student Chrome card: Best for commuters

Rewards:

• 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter)
• 1% back on all other purchases

Annual fee: $0

Commuting is a significant expense for students driving to and from campus. This card offers elevated cash back at gas stations and grocery stores — plus, Discover matches 100% of the cash rewards earned in the first year.

This card has no annual fee and comes with an introductory 0% APR offer. There’s no credit history required to apply.

Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card: Best for building credit

Rewards:

• 1% back on eligible purchases or up to 1.% back on eligible purchases when you make 12 on-time payments
• 2%-10% back at select merchants

Annual fee: $0

Petal's cash back card is designed for financial flexibility. It charges no overdue fees, international fees, or even late payment fees. You can also rack up cash back on eligible purchases, especially if you make a series of one-time payments.

Petal looks at your spending history and behaviors to determine a customized credit limit — ranging from $300 to $5,000. This gives students the flexibility of a credit card with guardrails to prevent overspending. Petal’s Leap program offers a clear path of what you need to do to request a credit limit increase.

How student credit cards work

Student credit cards provide an entry point to use credit responsibly and earn rewards. These cards are designed for applicants with little or no credit history.

Eligibility often depends on student status through enrollment confirmation documents. Annual fees are typically waived as well. This makes them ideal for high school seniors headed to college, current undergraduates, and graduate students.

Many student credit cards won’t charge an annual fee and offer security benefits similar to other cards, like $0 fraud liability.

Student cards vs. regular rewards cards

When choosing your first credit card, you may wonder if a student-specific card is the best option or if you should go for a regular cash back or travel rewards card instead.

The main advantage of student cards is that they're easier to qualify for with limited or no credit history. They also tend to have lower credit limits, which can help prevent overspending. Some student cards offer cash back rewards or bonuses for good grades as well.

Regular rewards cards, on the other hand, often require good to excellent credit to qualify. They may have higher credit limits and more lucrative rewards. But, these rewards only make sense if you pay your balance in full each month to avoid interest. 

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual situation. If you're new to credit, a student card is likely the most attainable option. As you build your credit score, you can graduate to a regular rewards card. 

Some issuers even allow you to upgrade your student card to a higher-tier card after a period of responsible use. 

Regardless of which type of card you choose, the keys to success are the same: Use the card for everyday expenses you can afford, pay your bill on time and in full every month, and keep your balance low relative to your credit limit. 

The importance of building credit early

Building a good credit history and score is crucial for young adults, and getting a student credit card is one of the best ways to start. 

Your credit score is essentially a measure of your financial responsibility, and it can impact many aspects of your life. 

For example, a good credit score can help you qualify for better rates on car loans, mortgages, and personal loans later in life. This can save you thousands in interest charges. Many landlords and even some employers also check credit reports to gauge your reliability. 

On the flip side, having poor or no credit can make it harder and more expensive to borrow money, rent an apartment, or even get certain jobs. That's why it's smart to start building credit early with a student card, even if you don't plan to carry a balance. The longer your history of responsible credit use, the better.

Understanding student card APRs

One key aspect of using a student credit card is understanding how the APR (annual percentage rate) works. 

The APR is the yearly interest rate you'll be charged on any balance you carry from month to month. Most student cards have variable APRs in the 20-30% range, which is quite high. 

But this rate only matters if you carry a balance. If you pay your statement balance in full and on time each month, you'll never be charged interest. 

That's why it's essential to treat your student card as a tool for building credit, not as extra spending money. Only charge what you can afford to pay off each month.

How to pick a student credit card

The right student credit card can be a critical ally to building your financial future. Therefore, it is vital that you choose one that aligns with your needs.

Start by considering your monthly expenses. Ask yourself questions like:

• Do dining out and late-night pizza deliveries dominate your budget?
• Do you prefer cash back or travel rewards?
• Do you commute frequently or stay on campus?
• Do you want to study abroad?

Match the card’s rewards to where you spend most. A flat 1.5% cash back card simplifies how you can earn rewards. On the other hand, a quarterly category card can help you maximize specific purchases.

You’ll want to consider interest rates and fees, too. Cards with 0% intro APR offers can help you consolidate debt and pay down your balance without interest charges. Cards with no foreign transaction fees prevent excessive charges abroad.

What to do if you can't qualify for a student credit card

 If you're denied for a student card, don't worry — you have other options. 

• One path is to become an authorized user on a parent's or guardian's credit card. They can add you to their account, and you'll get your own card to use. The primary cardholder is still responsible for payments, but the account's history will be reported on your credit report too. This can help you build credit if the primary cardholder uses the card responsibly. 
• Another option is a secured credit card. These cards require you to put down a cash deposit, usually $200-500, which becomes your credit limit. The deposit reduces risk for the issuer, making it easier to qualify. Use the card for small purchases and pay it off each month, and you can build credit over time. 

How to build credit with a student credit card

The power of a credit card comes with a great responsibility. If you’re not used to tracking your expenses, it can be easy to start overspending. It’s essential only to use your credit card to buy what you can afford to pay off.

Student cards help build a positive credit history through on-time monthly payments. Here are some tips for responsible credit card use:

• Pay your credit card bill on time and in full each month.
• Set up automatic payments from a checking account to ensure you’ll never miss a due date.
• Keep your credit utilization — the percentage of total credit you’re using — below 30%, which can help boost your score over time.

Many student credit cards have financial management tools that allow you to track your spending. It’s a good idea to take advantage of these tools. Over time, these habits will build your credit score and open up more opportunities for better credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and more.

How we rated the best student credit cards

To determine the best credit cards for students, we carefully evaluated a wide range of factors, including the card's sign-up bonus, rewards earning rates on purchases, added perks and benefits, annual fees, and overall value for consumers.

Our team analyzed numerous credit card offers and selected the top contenders based on these key criteria. The options on this list represent the best value, rewards, and benefits available.

Here are some of the key factors we considered:

• Rewards: Rewards are the primary reason many people use credit cards, as they allow you to earn valuable points, miles, or cash back on your everyday spending.
• Redemption flexibility: What good are rewards if they're a hassle to redeem? Flexible redemption options allow you to use your rewards in the way that best suits you, whether that's offsetting your bill with statement credits or booking a dream vacation.
• Benefits: Credit card benefits can provide significant value and make your life easier, from saving you money on checked bags to providing peace of mind with travel insurance.
• Annual fee: The annual fee is a key factor because it's a recurring cost that can eat into your rewards earnings. It's important to make sure you're getting enough value from the card to justify the fee.
• Welcome bonus: A lucrative welcome bonus can give your rewards a massive head start, especially in the first year, making it a great way to kickstart your earnings.
• Rates & other fees: High interest rates and fees can quickly negate the value of any rewards you earn, so it's important to understand these costs and how to avoid them.

The bottom line

The leading student cards offer outsized rewards without an annual fee. They provide flexibility for unpredictable student lifestyles and consumer protections debit cards lack — including $0 fraud liability.

Compare these top-rated student cards to match the one delivering the most value for your finances. Apply early in college to start generating rewards for future adventures, both big and small.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.