Best Student Credit Cards of May 2025

All information about the Wells Fargo Cash Back College Visa Card, Chase Freedom Student credit card, the Journey Student Rewards from Capital One and Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the content, nor is it responsible for its accuracy.

The Journey Student Rewards from Capital One is no longer available.

Comparing the best student credit cards

What is a student credit card?

Student credit cards are designed for college students who want to start building credit. They differ from traditional credit cards in many ways. For example, student cards may lack large sign-up bonuses and high credit limits. However, the credit requirements for a student card are usually lower, and these cards sometimes have special features specific to the needs of college students. These can include:

• Late payment forgiveness
• No penalty APRs
• Automatic credit limit reviews
• Free credit score and monitoring

How to get your first credit card

When you’re ready to get your first credit card, check your credit reports and credit score. Then, research cards that fit your needs. There are several student credit cards available, most with unique features and conditions. Take special notice of annual fees, rewards offered, and APRs.

Narrow your selection and apply for only one card. Every time you apply for a credit card, a hard credit inquiry gets noted on your credit report. Multiple applications can negatively impact your credit score and make it more difficult to get approved for a card.

How to get a student credit card with no credit or bad credit

Just because you’re a college student doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get approved for a student card. Because of the Credit CARD Act of 2009, a consumer under 21 must have their own source of income, even if the card requires no credit. There are also ways around this by having a co-signer help you out or becoming an authorized user.

Otherwise, applying for a card, no matter your credit, is pretty much the same – you need to make sure you have the required credit, and you will be asked a series of questions on the application that will help the card issuer decide if you are a good credit risk. If you don’t qualify for a student card, a secured credit card may be a better choice for you.

Understanding your student credit card’s features

The annual percentage rate is the interest that issuers charge on balances carried from month to month.  It’s usually determined by your credit score, so cardholders with higher scores often receive lower interest rates. That said, the best way to avoid interest is to pay the balance in full every month.

Penalty APRs can come into effect when minimum payments are not met. Penalty APRs are usually the highest interest rates credit cardholders will experience.

A credit limit is the maximum amount that an issuer or financial institution will extend to a cardholder. For most student credit cards, the limit is $1,000 or less. Some cards offer card limit increases after the cardholder has demonstrated good credit card habits over at least six to 12 months.

Many credit cards, student cards included, offer rewards. Rewards include cash back, points, and sign-up bonuses. Cash back is simply a percentage of the charges you make credited back to your account. Rewards points can usually be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, and more. Reward miles are like rewards points and cash back but are typically redeemed for flights, hotels, or rental cars.

All credit cards come with fees, whether for maintenance of the account or as a penalty to the user. Some fees to be aware of include:

• Annual fees: Though most student credit cards do not have annual fees, many rewards cards typically do. This fee is usually $50 to $500.
• Balance transfer fees: These fees can run 3% to 5% or $5 to $10, whichever is greater.
• Cash advance fees: Cardholders can pull cash from their credit card at an ATM, usually with an extremely high APR.
• Foreign transaction fees: Typically about 3%, these can cut into your rewards while traveling for breaks or study abroad, so check for this.
• Convenience fees: Occasionally charged by the merchant, you can end up paying about 3% for using a credit card to pay rent or tuition.

Pros and cons of student credit cards

Who should get a student credit card?

If you regularly shop for books, food, clothing, or other everyday essentials, a student card can help you earn rewards or cash back on these purchases. Choose a card that aligns with where you spend the most to maximize benefits.

You should get a student credit card if:

• You regularly shop for books, food, clothes or other everyday essentials
• You want to establish your credit history while you’re still in school
• You want student-friendly perks, such as free FICO credit score access

You shouldn’t get a student credit card if:

• You want to optimize rewards earning
• You travel frequently
• You have debt or a tight budget

How to make the most of your student credit card

When used responsibly, a student credit card is a phenomenal tool for building your credit history. Just remember as a college student, it’s imperative that you’re on top of your spending and know what it takes to stay on track financially. Here are some good tips to keep in mind to avoid common mistakes and to make the most of your student card:

• Pay on time: Always make your payments by the due date to avoid late fees and interest charges. Consistently paying on time will help you build a positive credit history.
• Keep your balance low: Try to keep your balance below 30% of your credit limit to maintain a good credit score. This shows responsible credit usage and helps you avoid debt accumulation.
• Track your spending: Use budgeting tools or apps to keep an eye on your purchases and ensure you stay within your budget. This will help you manage your finances and avoid overspending.
• Take advantage of rewards and perks: If your student card offers cash back or rewards, make sure to use it for everyday purchases. Maximize benefits by using the card for things you already buy, such as books, food, or transportation.
• Monitor your credit score: Many student credit cards offer free access to your FICO score. Check your score regularly to track your progress and make adjustments if needed.
• Avoid carrying a balance: If possible, pay off your balance in full each month to avoid interest charges and build a strong credit history without accumulating debt.
• Use the card responsibly: Don’t use your student credit card for unnecessary purchases. Treat it as a tool to build credit, not a way to spend beyond your means.

Alternatives to student credit cards

If you’re concerned about qualifying for a student credit card or want to explore other options, here are a few alternatives:

• Secured credit card: A secured credit card requires a deposit, which serves as your credit limit. It’s a great option for building credit if you have limited or no credit history. Using a secured card responsibly can help you qualify for an unsecured card in the future.
• Become an authorized user: If a family member or close friend has a credit card with a good payment history, consider becoming an authorized user on their account. This allows you to benefit from their positive credit history without being responsible for the debt.
• Credit builder loan: Some financial institutions offer credit builder loans designed specifically to help individuals build credit. These loans are typically small amounts that you repay over time. While you won’t receive the money upfront, your timely payments will help improve your credit score.
• Student loan credit cards: If you’re eligible, some student loan providers may offer credit cards designed for students, often with lower credit limits and manageable terms. These cards can be an alternative to traditional student credit cards, providing a way to build credit with less risk.
• Prepaid debit card: While not a credit card, a prepaid debit card allows you to load funds onto the card and spend within your budget. This can help you avoid overspending and still enjoy the convenience of plastic without the risk of accumulating debt. However, it won’t help build your credit score.

How we picked the best student credit cards

Our editorial team and expert review board analyzed 109 student credit cards to choose the top options for young adults and new cardholders. While several factors were considered in narrowing down our list, the most notable were:

• Credit-building perks: Credit cards for students are best utilized when establishing a good credit score. We made sure the cards here have benefits that will help students get into the right habits and will report those habits to the three major credit bureaus.
• Affordability: Because students and rookie cardholders are often on a tight budget, we searched for cards that avoided an annual fee, have reasonable terms and don’t hit you with extraneous costs.
• Student benefits: Many student cards come with incentives specifically designed for college-goers. We looked for unique perks, rewards rates in applicable categories and other benefits that’ll help out around campus.

Our full criteria include: Regular APR, foreign transaction fee, sign-up bonus, credit needed, rewards rates and categories, redemption options, ease of application, customer service, security and miscellaneous benefits.

Additional information on student credit cards

For more information on all things student credit cards, continue reading content from our credit card experts:

• How to get a credit card as a college student
• Should you graduate from a student credit card to a regular credit card?
• Best credit cards for young adults in 2023
• Student credit, debit, and mobile payment statistics

About the Author

Joey Robinson

Joey Robinson is a credit cards writer for CreditCards.com and has worked at a “Big Four” (Ernst & Young) accounting firm before exploring the world of credit cards. After learning proper professional and financial practices through federal audits, he moved on to his second job, where he was introduced to CreditCards.com/Bankrate as a data analyst. As time passed, his interests drifted away from data analysis and into the communication of credit card essentials. Over the past two years, he’s shared his expertise and has brought understanding to complex topics as a writer and editor for sites like CreditCards.com, Bankrate.com and NextAdvisor. His advice on avoiding common credit card fees, top balance transfer tactics and more financial tips have been featured on MSN Money and other various news publications.

About the Editor

Tracy Stewart

Tracy Stewart is a personal finance writer specializing in credit card loyalty programs, travel benefits, and consumer protections. He previously covered travel rewards credit cards, budget travel, and aviation news at SmarterTravel Media. His money-saving tips have appeared in the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, MarketWatch, Vice, People, the Zoe Report and elsewhere.

About the Editor

Jessica Merritt

Jessica Merritt is a personal finance writer with 8 years of experience covering credit cards, banking, and financial wellness. She specializes in turning complex financial topics into clear, actionable advice, with work featured in U.S. News, CNN Underscored, and DepositAccounts.com.

About the Reviewer

Jason Steele

Jason Steele is a professional journalist and credit card expert who has been contributing to online publications since 2008. He was one of the original contributors to The Points Guy, and his work has been appearing there since 2011. He has also contributed to over 100 of the leading personal finance and travel outlets. He’s frequently interviewed and quoted by mainstream outlets on the subjects of credit cards and travel. Jason is passionate about travel rewards credit cards, which he uses to earn rewards that he can redeem for him and his family to travel around the world. Jason is also the founder and producer of CardCon, a conference for credit and credit card journalists that’s held annually.