| Credit Card | Financebuzz Rating | Welcome Bonus | Rewards Rate | Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Discover it® Student Cash Back |
Excellent for high-rate cash back categories
4.75
|
Cashback Match™
|
1% - 5%
Cash back
|
Balance Transfer:
10.99%, 6 months
Purchases:
0%, 6 months
|
17.24% - 26.24% Variable
|
$0
|
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card For Living Off Campus /images/2024/12/18/capital_one_savor_student_card_art.png)
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Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card |
5.0
|
$50
Cash Bonus
|
1% - 8%
Cash Back
|
Balance Transfer:
N/A, N/A
Purchases:
N/A, N/A
|
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
|
$0
|
|
2025 award winner Best for Dining Out /images/2025/01/22/chase-freedom-unlimited-1.22.2025.png)
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Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
Excellent for cash back on traveling and dining
4.7
|
$200
Bonus
|
1.5% - 5%
Cash Back
|
Balance Transfer:
0%, 15 months
Purchases:
0%, 15 months
|
18.99% - 28.49% Variable
|
$0
|
|
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card for Building Credit /images/2024/12/13/discover_it_student_chrome_card_art_-_12-13-24.png)
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Discover it® Student Chrome |
Excellent for cash back on gas + restaurants
4.55
|
Cashback Match™
|
1% - 2%
Cash back
|
Balance Transfer:
10.99%, 6 months
Purchases:
0%, 6 months
|
17.24% - 26.24% Variable
|
$0
|
|
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card /images/2025/02/18/capital_one_quicksilver_card_art_-_2-18-25.png)
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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card |
4.75
|
$50
Cash Bonus
|
1.5% - 5%
Cash Back
|
Balance Transfer:
N/A, N/A
Purchases:
N/A, N/A
|
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
|
$0
|
Today's Top Credit Cards for Students
Discover it® Student Cash Back
If you're looking for a student credit card, the Discover it® Student Cash Back(Rates and fees) is a solid choice. This card lets you enjoy astounding cash back — up to 5%! Even better: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. That's double the cash back on purchases your first year!
Earn a powerful 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases automatically. And, the annual fee is $0!
You can also take advantage of a 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases, then 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR. This is a great way to finance purchases as needed for schooling, housing, and food while at school.
Click here to apply for the Discover it® Student Cash Back now.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card For Living Off Campus
If you're a student, you could rack up solid cash back on dining and groceries with this card — up to 8% on certain categories! — with the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees). Plus, earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months!
Earning categories are powerful across the board. Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal; unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores such as Walmart® and Target®); and 1% on all other purchases.
This card is truly a fantastic choice if you want to maximize your earnings for entertainment, grocery, and travel, all while maintaining a solid earning rate for all other purchases. Plus, the annual fee for the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees) is $0. Foreign transaction fee: None
Before you apply, get pre-approved: If you aren't sure whether this card is right for you (or if you'll be approved), getting a pre-approval from Capital One is a great next step. Plus, there's no harm to your credit score!
- Go to the pre-approval site (also linked below) and answer some basic questions.
- They'll tell you if you're pre-approved for the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card or other Capital One card offers.
- You don't need to apply separately if you're pre-approved — just accept an offer and they'll mail your new card.
>> See if you're pre-approved for the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
2025 award winner Best for Dining Out
The Chase Freedom Unlimited®(Rates and fees) could be perfect for you if you're a student and want to earn hefty cash back. You can earn up to 5% cash back on eligible categories. You also have the ability to earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening — worth $200!
With Chase Freedom Unlimited®, you can also earn 3% on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, 5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, and 1.5% on all other purchases!
Even better: Enjoy a 0% intro APR period on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. After the intro period, the APR is 18.99% - 28.49% Variable. That means you can pay 0% interest on large purchases or if you transfer your existing credit card balance!
Annual fee: $0
Click here to apply for Chase Freedom Unlimited® now.
Discover it® Student Chrome
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card for Building Credit
The Discover it® Student Chrome(Rates and fees) is the perfect card if you're in college and you want a simple rewards rate for earning cash back — an easy up to 2% cash back! Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. That's double the cash back on purchases your first year!
Our editors also love this card for its simplicity: Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
The annual fee is $0, and you'll also get a great intro APR on purchases. Enjoy a 0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases, then 17.24% - 26.24% Variable APR. Finance purchases as needed for schooling, housing, and food!
Click here to apply for the Discover it® Student Chrome now.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
2025 award winner Best Student Credit Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees) is a fantastic choice it you're a student who wants a card with straightforward earning potential. You could net yourself plenty of cash back — up to 5% on certain purchases! Even better: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months!
This card is great for everyday earnings, and also a powerful choice if you like to travel. You can earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; plus unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
The annual fee for the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card(Rates and fees) is $0. And the foreign transaction fee? None! You can also enjoy extended warranty protection on eligible purchases.
Start with a no-penalty pre-approval: If you're interested in the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card but aren't sure if you'll be approved, don't worry. You can find out quickly with no impact to your credit score.
- Click the link below and answer some basic questions.
- They'll tell you if you're pre-approved for certain Capital One card offers.
- You don't need to apply separately if you're pre-approved — just accept an offer and they'll mail your new card.
Bottom Line
If you're a student, the Discover it® Student Cash Back(Rates and fees) is a great choice. You can benefit from a generous welcome offer, earn up to 5% cash back, and enjoy an introductory no-interest period on purchases — all without an annual fee!
- Cash Back Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Amazing Welcome Offer: Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
No Caps on Welcome Bonus Rewards: There is no minimum spending threshold and no maximum to the amount of cash back rewards you can earn with the first-year welcome bonus.
- Low Intro APR: Enjoy a 0% introductory APR for 6 months on purchases. After the intro period, the APR is 17.24% - 26.24% Variable.
- $0 Annual Fee: On top of no annual fees, there are no foreign transaction fees.
Benefits Card Details Intro Offer
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.
Annual Fee $0 Why we like it
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Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about student credit cards? We've answered the most common ones below to help you choose the right card.
Responsible credit card usage can be worthwhile because you can start building your credit history while you’re in school. That could lead to better financial opportunities after graduation, such as qualifying for a car loan, a mortgage, or your next credit card. It also helps that student credit cards are typically easy to qualify for since they have less strict requirements.
The FICO score is the most commonly used metric to rate credit. According to the FICO scale, a “good” credit rating is between 670-739 for anyone, including students.
Just as with a regular personal credit card, the credit limit or credit line available to you as a student will vary based on your creditworthiness. Typically, though, student credit cards have lower credit limits compared to regular personal credit cards. Sometimes you will be automatically considered for a higher credit line after you make a number of on-time monthly payments.
Yes! It is possible to get a credit card without a job — with some stipulations. Generally, you must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a credit card and if you’re under 21 you’ll need to provide proof of your financial assets or income. Otherwise, you’ll need to have a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult co-sign on the credit card for you.
You'll also most likely need to provide your Social Security number. If you are an international student and you don't have a Social Security number, you may still have options when it comes to applying for a student credit card. Be sure to call the credit card issuer and find out what their requirements are.
Usually not. Each credit card issuer requires proof that you’re enrolled in school, but each also has different definitions. For some cards you must provide proof you’re attending a 2- or 4-year college, while others only check to make sure you meet the income and credit minimums. If you already have a student card when you graduate, some issuers will allow you to keep your student card, but others require that you change to a different card or upgrade your card once you’re no longer a student.
How we chose these cards
FinanceBuzz evaluated a selection of cards from our partners, looking at various criteria including length of intro APR period, fees, and bonus offers. We did not review all cards in the category and compensation was considered when evaluating and ordering the cards.