6 Best Banks for College Students [2025]: Campus-Convenient Banks That Charge Less

Going to college was an exciting time for me — but it was also slightly terrifying. For the first time in my life, I was in charge of managing my own schedule and money. And I, foolishly, didn't think to check whether my bank account had ATMs or branches near my campus. That was a costly mistake; I ended up having to pay unnecessary ATM fees to easily access cash when I needed it.

As you get ready for college, choosing the right bank account can help you manage your money more effectively and avoid unnecessary fees. To help you learn from my mistake, here's what you need to know about the best bank accounts for college students and what to look for to find the right fit for you.

What college students should look for in a bank

For the 15 million students currently enrolled in college, managing money is a critical skill. Choosing the right bank while you're in school is essential to building good financial habits so you can handle your money wisely. As you start looking for a new bank account, here are some factors to consider.

• Account types: Most student bank accounts are checking or savings accounts. A checking account is for your day-to-day expenses, while a savings account is a tool you use to save for future goals.
• Fees: Some accounts have monthly fees, ATM fees, and other costs. When looking for a student account, look for one that waives monthly fees for students and doesn't charge added ATM fees.
• Branch and ATM networks: As I found, a bank with local branches and ATMs is key to avoiding added fees. Ideally, your bank should have ATMs on campus or nearby that you can use without paying a fee.
• Rates: If you have an interest-bearing account, your money can grow over time. Rates vary by bank, so look for one that offers a better-than-average annual percentage yield (APY).
• Deposit options: Online banks can offer low fees and higher-than-usual APYs. But, they don't always have ways to deposit cash. If you have a cash-based job — for example, if you're a bartender or server — prioritize banks that allow you to make cash deposits at a branch or ATM.
• Digital tools: Some banks offer special tools that can make it easier to manage your money, including budgeting apps and credit trackers. As you handle your money, these tools can help you track your spending and stick to your financial goals.
• Other perks: With some banks, you can qualify for special perks like discounts on future loans.

Best banks for college students

Financial Institution	Best for …	ATM network size
PNC Bank	Combined checking and savings	60,000
Poppy	Savings	40,000
U.S. Bank	Financial tools	40,000
SoFi®	A bonus offer1 <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement.&nbsp;Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet" >http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p>	55,000
Chase	Monthly fee-free checking	15,000
Navy Federal Credit Union	Military service members and their families	30,000

PNC Bank

PNC's Virtual Wallet Student account³ <p>Offer is contingent on product availability and may vary based on where you open your account and the Zip code of your primary address. For online or phone origination, the Zip code of your primary address will be used to determine product availability. You may earn a $400 reward if you open and use a new Virtual Wallet with Performance Select, a $200 reward if you open and use a new Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend, or a $100 reward if you open and use a new Virtual Wallet. If you change your Virtual Wallet product type after account opening, the product type that you are in on the last business day of the month in which you opened your account will determine your offer eligibility, terms and corresponding reward amount, if applicable.</p> <p>To qualify for the reward, the new Virtual Wallet product must be opened online via the application links on this page from 01/03/2024 through 7/01/2024, and a qualifying Direct deposit(s) must be received within the first 60 days. Your Virtual Wallet product must remain open in order for you to receive the reward, which will be credited to the eligible account within 60–90 days after all conditions have been met and will be identified as Credits Check Reward on your monthly statement.</p> <p>A qualifying Direct Deposit for this offer, is defined as a recurring Direct Deposit of a paycheck, pension, Social Security or other regular monthly income electronically deposited by an employer or an outside agency into the Spend account of a Virtual Wallet with Performance Select, Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend, or Virtual Wallet. The total amount of all qualifying Direct Deposits credited to your Spend account must be at least $5,000 for Virtual Wallet with Performance Select, $2,000 for Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend or $500 for Virtual Wallet. Credit card cash advance transfers, wire transfers, person to person transfers, transfers from one account to another or deposits made at a physical PNC location or ATM do not qualify as qualifying Direct Deposits.</p> <p>New account will not be eligible for offer if you or any signer on the new account has an existing PNC Bank consumer checking account or has closed an account within the past 90 days, or has been paid a PNC promotional premium in the past 24 months. If multiple accounts are opened with the same signers, only one account will be eligible for the premium. Trust, Estate and other specialty titled accounts are excluded from this offer. Offer may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time and may vary by market. The value of the reward may be reported on the appropriate Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms, and may be considered taxable income to you. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your specific situation.</p> combines checking accounts and savings accounts into one platform. There are three components to the Virtual Wallet:

• Spending: The spending account is your checking account for your bills.
• Reserve: The Reserve account is a savings account for short-term goals.
• Growth: The Growth account is a savings account for your long-term goals. It has the highest APY of the three accounts.

The Virtual Wallet Student account also comes with digital tools, including My Finance Academy, which contains educational resources and guides.

That said, PNC doesn't have a physical presence in all states, and its high-yield savings accounts aren't available everywhere.

Learn more in our PNC Virtual Wallet review.

Poppy Bank

Poppy Bank is based in California, but it has online options available nationwide. Its student savings account has a higher-than-usual 4.00% (as of 10/06/25) APY, helping your money grow faster, and a low minimum deposit and no monthly fee.

However, Poppy has just a few branches (all in California), so it can be tricky to get in-person assistance when you need it. Also, its website isn't as advanced as some banks, so it lacks the tools and features of other banks.

U.S. Bank

U.S. Bank Smartly^® Checking offers special benefits to students ages 18 to 24, including no monthly fee until you reach the age of 24. The account also only requires a minimum deposit of $25 to open.

As an added perk, its account has extra features, like a complimentary membership for the Greenlight app, a tool you can use to learn money management skills (and your parents can even pay you for chores or send you regular allowance payments). And U.S. Bank partners with some colleges to offer special campus banking services.

U.S. Bank doesn't offer accounts in all states, and it doesn't have a student-specific savings option.

Visit U.S. Bank Smartly^® Checking | Learn more in our Smartly Checking review

SoFi

SoFi is well-known for its private student loans, so you may already have a SoFi account if you're financing college with the company. If not, it's worth another look as a bank account provider.

It offers both student checking and savings accounts without monthly fees or minimum balance requirements, and it's easy to open online.

For cash-strapped college students, SoFi has another perk: it has an easier-than-usual bonus offer you can qualify for with simple requirements. You can earn up to a $30 cash bonus by signing up for an account with a .edu email address and fund your account with at least $10 within five days of opening.¹ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement.&nbsp;Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet" >http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p>

Plus, SoFi has a high APY on savings accounts⁶ <p>SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus">https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus</a>.</p> ⁶ <p>SoFi members who enroll in SoFi Plus with Eligible Direct Deposit or by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee every 30 days or SoFi members with $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either SoFi Plus or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. If you have satisfied Eligible Direct Deposit requirements for our highest APY but do not see 3.80% APY on your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit arrives, please contact us at 855-456-7634. Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet">http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>. See the SoFi Plus Terms and Conditions at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus">https://www.sofi.com/terms-of-use/#plus</a>.</p> , but it does require you to sign up for direct deposit or add $5,000 to the account every 30 days to qualify for the highest rate.

SoFi is an online-only financial institution, so it doesn't operate physical branches. And, it doesn't allow ATM cash deposits; instead, you have to visit a partner retailer, who may charge a $4.95 fee to accept a cash deposit. SoFi is a Member FDIC⁷ <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations.&nbsp;Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at&nbsp;<a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p> .

Chase

Chase is one of the largest banks in the country, and it has a huge physical presence. If you like the option of visiting a branch when you have questions, Chase has a network of over 5,000 branches nationwide, and it has over 15,000 ATMs.

For those who have cash-based jobs in college, having access to a Chase branch or cash deposit-eligible ATM can be convenient.

You can open a Chase student checking account with $0, and there's no monthly fee for up to five years (until you reach the age of 24 or graduate). After that, a fee will apply.

The student checking account doesn't earn interest, and it does charge foreign transaction fees, so you may need to find another option if you plan on studying abroad.

Learn more in our Chase Bank review.

Navy Federal Credit Union

If you're a military service member or if you have a family member who served, the Navy Federal Credit Union Campus Checking account can be useful. For those under the age of 24, it's free with no minimum deposit requirement. And, you can receive up to $120 per year in ATM fee reimbursement.

Navy Federal Credit Union isn't available to everyone; you must be a service member, veteran, or have a family member who served to qualify for an account. You can also qualify if you're a Department of Defense civilian employee. And, it doesn't have a student savings account option.

Learn more in our Navy Federal Credit Union review.

Tips for opening a college student bank account

As you get ready to open a checking account or savings account, use these tips.

• Choose the right account type: Think about why you need a bank account. If you'll be working while in school and have bills to pay, you'll likely need a checking account. By contrast, a savings account is for saving money for other goals, and savings accounts usually have limits on how often you can withdraw money.
• Gather documents: Whether you apply for a new account online or in person at a branch, you'll likely need to provide a government-issued ID and proof of student status (such as a .edu email address or student ID).
• Be ready to make a deposit: Many accounts require a small initial deposit. For students, the deposit is usually $25 or less.
• Set up alerts: Modern bank accounts allow you to set up alerts when your balance is low so you can avoid overdraft fees.
• Review your bank statements: Don't just toss your bank statements in the trash. Review your statements and check for errors or other issues.

FAQs

Bottom line

The right bank account can set you up for success in college and beyond. Whether you prioritize a high APY for savings or a checking account with a broad ATM network, there are low-cost student bank accounts that can fit your needs.

Compare your options carefully, and make sure you understand what fees apply to avoid expensive surprises.

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2025 award winner Best Checking and Savings Combo

SoFi Checking and Savings Benefits

• Limited-Time Offer: Earn up to a $300 bonus and up to 4.50% APY on Savings (3.80% APY¹ <p>New and existing Checking and Savings members who have not previously enrolled in Direct Deposit with SoFi are eligible to earn a cash bonus of either $50 (with at least $1,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period) OR $300 (with at least $5,000 total Eligible Direct Deposits received during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period). Cash bonus will be based on the total amount of Eligible Direct Deposit. If you have satisfied the Eligible Direct Deposit requirements but have not received a cash bonus in your Checking account, please contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. Direct Deposit Promotion begins on 12/7/2023 and will be available through 1/31/2026. Full terms at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/">sofi.com/banking</a>. SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A., Member FDIC.</p><p>SoFi members with Eligible Direct Deposit can earn 3.80% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the 3.80% APY for savings (including Vaults). Members without Eligible Direct Deposit will earn 1.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 1/24/25. There is no minimum balance requirement.&nbsp;Additional information can be found at <a href="http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet" >http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet</a>.</p> with +0.70% APY Boost) for 6 Months on new accounts with eligible direct deposit. Terms Apply.⁹ <p>Earn up to 4.50% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on SoFi Savings with a 0.70% APY Boost (added to the 3.80% APY as of 8/5/25) for up to 6 months. Open a new SoFi Checking &amp; Savings account with Eligible Direct Deposit by 1/31/26. Rates variable, subject to change. Terms apply at <a href="https://www.sofi.com/banking/#2">sofi.com/banking#2</a>. SoFi Bank, N.A. Member&nbsp;FDIC.</p>
• No account, overdraft, or monthly fees⁴ <p>We do not charge any account, service or maintenance fees for SoFi Checking and Savings. We do charge a transaction fee to process each outgoing wire transfer. SoFi does not charge a fee for incoming wire transfers, however the sending bank may charge a fee. Our fee policy is subject to change at any time. See the SoFi Checking & Savings Fee Sheet for details at <a href="http://sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/">sofi.com/legal/banking-fees/</a></p>
• Get your paycheck up to two days early¹⁰ <p>Early access to direct deposit funds is based on the timing in which we receive notice of impending payment from the Federal Reserve, which is typically up to two days before the scheduled payment date, but may vary.</p>
• Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million⁷ <p><b style="font-family: Rubik, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;">SoFi Bank is a member FDIC and does not provide more than $250,000 of FDIC insurance per depositor per legal category of account ownership, as described in the FDIC’s regulations.&nbsp;Any additional FDIC insurance is provided by the SoFi Insured Deposit Program. Deposits may be insured up to $3M through participation in the program. See full terms at&nbsp;<a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/sidpterms</a>. See list of participating banks at <a href="http://sofi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks">SoFi.com/banking/fdic/participatingbanks</a>.</b></p>

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FinanceBuzz writers and editors score products and companies on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence our ratings.

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