Student credit cards are specifically designed for people with limited or no credit history. They typically have easier approval requirements, lower credit limits, and competitive rewards for students. Here are the best ones available right now.
Discover It Student Cash Back
The best all-around student card. Earns 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories (Amazon, gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants — Discover rotates these and you activate each quarter) and 1% on everything else. No annual fee. Discover matches all your cash back at the end of your first year — so if you earned $150 in cash back, they give you another $150. That’s a hard offer to beat.
Discover It Student Chrome
A simpler version of the Discover student card — 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter combined), 1% on everything else. No annual fee, same first-year cash back match. Better if you want simplicity over optimizing categories.
Capital One Quicksilver Student
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and no need to track categories. One of the easiest student cards to get approved for. Good for international students or anyone who travels.
Chase Freedom Student
1% cash back on all purchases, no annual fee, and a $50 bonus after your first purchase in the first three months. Also earns a $25 credit every 12 months you pay on time. Lower rewards than the Discover cards but Chase has a strong ecosystem if you plan to upgrade to Chase Sapphire later.
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students
3% cash back in a category you choose (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement), 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, 1% on everything else. No annual fee. Best for students with predictable spending in one category.
What to prioritize when choosing
For most students: the Discover It Student Cash Back wins outright. The first-year match is genuinely exceptional value. After your first year, you’ll have 12 months of credit history and can qualify for more competitive cards — and you’ll still have your Discover account building your credit history length for years to come.