Is it easy to get a student credit card?

Student credit cards tend to have lighter credit application requirements than other unsecured credit cards, so students with little to no credit history may have better approval odds. Remember that you’ll often have to prove school enrollment when applying.

When should you get a student credit card?

You should consider getting a credit card when you can manage it responsibly. However, the Credit CARD Act of 2009 restricts credit card issuers from granting new accounts to people younger than 21. You could get a credit card earlier if you can demonstrate a reliable independent income source or have a cosigner, but this ultimately depends on the issuer.

Can international students apply for a credit card?

Yes, you can apply for a credit card as an international student, though you’ll still need to meet certain requirements. Some card issuers allow students to apply using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number (SSN).

What should you do with your student card after graduation?

You can continue to use your student credit card after graduation. However, if you’ve used your credit responsibly over the years and have achieved a decent credit score, consider applying for a more traditional credit card that offers better rewards rates on a wider range of spending categories. If you want to maintain your credit history, keep your student card open or upgrade to a more rewarding version of the card.

Do you need a job to get a student credit card?

No, you are not required to have a job to get a credit card, although most issuers will request some proof of income to ensure you can cover your credit card bill.

Best Student Credit Cards for May 2025

Compare Bankrate’s top student credit cards

Card name	Best for	Card highlights	Bankrate review score
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card	Overall student card	8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery store purchases (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) 1% cash back on all other purchases	4.6 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees
Discover it® Student Cash Back	Rotating cash back	5% cash back on up to $1,500 per quarter of combined rotating category purchases (activation required), then 1% 1% cash back on all other purchases	5.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Chase Freedom Rise®	No deposit	1.5% cash back on all purchases	4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Chase's secure site See Rates & Fees
Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback for Students	International students	Up to 15% cash back on over 29,000 partner merchants Up to 10% random cash back after every eligible purchase Earn an additional 1% Unlimited Cashback with Firstcard Premium on all qualifying transactions	3.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Firstcard's secure site See Rates & Fees
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students	Intro APR	Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students	Travel	3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center Unlimited 1.5X points on all purchases	4.2 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Bank of America's secure site
Discover it® Student Chrome	Commuters	2% cash back cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter (then 1%)	4.1 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Discover's secure site See Rates & Fees
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card	Flat-rate cash back	1.5% cash back on purchases	4.0 / 5 Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. (Read card review) Apply now on Capital One's secure site See Rates & Fees

Researching the best student credit cards

50+

cards rated

500+

data points analyzed

250+

fees tracked

40+

perks evaluated

We thoroughly rate and research the best low-interest credit cards based on key criteria to help you make confident decisions when choosing your next credit card. Learn more about our methodology below.

Why you should build credit as a student

Building credit early with a student credit card grants you a crucial financial head start. You can build credit early in your adult life by getting into the routine of using money responsibly while setting yourself up for future success.

By managing a credit card, you’ll learn valuable lessons about budgeting, making timely payments and understanding the impact of debt. These experiences lay the groundwork for a lifetime of financial decision-making, which is essential for long-term financial stability and future financial opportunities.

A strong credit history can lead to lower interest rates, higher credit limits and better loan terms, ultimately saving you money in the long run on some of life’s milestones, like renting an apartment, buying a car or starting a business.

Is a student card right for you? Pros and cons of student credit cards

What makes a great student card

Choosing a great student credit card instead of one that’s just “good enough” means you’ll need to consider a few factors while narrowing down your choices.

How to use a credit card responsibly as a student

As a student, using a credit card responsibly is important for building a positive credit history and avoiding debt. Here are some key tips for using a credit card responsibly:

Create a budget and monitor your spending. Establish a monthly budget to track your expenses to avoid overspending and ensure you can afford to pay off your credit card balance in full each month.
Pay on time. Make timely credit card payments to avoid late fees and negative marks on your credit report.
Limit your credit utilization. If you do carry a balance, keep your credit utilization ratio below 30 percent each billing cycle. It accounts for 30 percent of your FICO credit score.
Be aware of all fees. Credit cards come with their own set of credit card fees. Avoiding some of them is easy if you pick the right card.
Keep up with your credit score. It's important to keep a close eye on your credit score so you’ll know if there have been any changes. Seeing progress might motivate you to make better decisions when using a credit card.

Learn more: How to choose a student credit card

How a Bankrate expert chose a student credit card

Bankrate writer Benét Wilson is part of a loyal Bank of America family, and she started her credit journey with the low-cost card a family member recommended to her. Benét still recommends streamlined cards like hers for students, but she stresses that students should take the time to thoroughly research the card that best fits their needs.

"While I was in college, credit card companies worked hard to get students to apply for credit cards through sign-up events and giveaway items like shirts and frisbees to turn students into life-long customers. I chose the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students* at a campus event because my grandfather was a Bank of America bank manager and recommended it for establishing credit. He gave me a long lecture on using the card responsibly, but it didn't stick. I racked up charges on dumb stuff like food, clothing and entertainment and hit my spending limit quickly. I worked almost a year to pay off that card. I wish I could say I learned my lesson and never overcharged credit cards again, but that would be a lie.

Regardless, the student BankAmericard was a good fit for my financial and credit-building needs at the time, and it’s still a solid option for students looking for their first credit card. Just do your homework and choose wisely since that first credit card will set the tone for your financial history.

If you have the option, also consider asking your parents to make you an authorized user. With the right card, you can take advantage of rewards and perks that don't normally come with student credit cards.”
— Benét Wilson, Writer, Credit Cards

Student credit card news & views

More than 2 in 5 Gen Z credit card holders make at least some effort to maximize their credit card rewards, according to Bankrate’s 2025 Credit Card Debt Report. That affinity for credit card rewards is also reflected in the most popular student credit cards for 2024, based on Bankrate’s proprietary data. We looked at the student cards on our site that readers clicked on the most in 2024 and here’s what we found.

Readers primarily clicked on and viewed flat-rate rewards credit cards with the Bank of America ® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students* and the Bank of America ® Travel Rewards credit card for Students ranking as the second- and third-most popular among students. However, many students may simply be focused on building credit since the Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback was the most popular choice.

Unsecured student cards typically offer the best rewards and features, but students without a credit history may have a harder time qualifying for them compared to secured cards. Using preapproval screeners through an issuer or tools like Bankrate’s CardMatch™ can be a helpful tactic for identifying the cards you can qualify for, as one user mentioned in response to this Reddit thread.

If you have a steady income, you may be able to qualify for a decent student credit card even without an extensive credit history. And even if you don’t get the best credit card to start with, a student card can be a gateway to better rewards and higher credit limits.

Determining the best way to start building a credit history can be hard, especially as a student. It can be equally hard to sift through trends and advice from your peers when choosing which credit cards will be worth it for you. One Reddit user posed this predicament to the r/CreditCards community. After seeing a teammate flash their American Express® Gold Card, they weighed whether the $325 annual fee would be worth it for them. Most commenters agreed that getting the card wouldn’t be worth it compared to other student cards with no annual fee and one user even said:

“The annual fee is not the issue … A college student doesn't need this card because a student doesn't have the monthly expenses to put enough spending on the Amex Gold card to earn enough points to use for travel,” they wrote. “This is a case of social media enticing people to feel that they gotta have what everyone else is talking about.”

While it’s tempting to get the card other students have in their pockets, it’s important to remember that your personal finance decisions are, in fact, personal. It’s not a choice that should be based on what others are doing, so don't be swayed by trends or try to keep up with the Joneses at the expense of your credit health. It’s also been a major pitfall for Gen Z, who began using cards as a status symbol instead of a financial tool.

Still deciding if a student credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool to get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Be sure to check the issuer's website/terms and conditions for all up-to-date content. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.

Best alternatives to student credit cards

College is a great time to try new things and take (reasonable) risks, but that’s not an ideal approach to managing finances. Student cards often have unsecured credit lines with some of the best rewards rates and perks — and perhaps the lowest rates and fees — available with starter cards. They’re certainly one of the best ways to build credit as a college student, but being reluctant to get a credit card or wanting a card with more guardrails is understandable.

Some of the most common alternatives to student credit cards include:

Secured credit cards: These cards require a security deposit, and several top options earn rewards without charging an annual fee.
Alternative credit scoring models: Tools like UltraFICO and Experian Boost look at aspects of your finances aside from credit history to help establish your credit score, including utility bills, streaming services and rent payments.
Become an authorized user: You’ll receive a card linked to the primary cardholder's account. You can use this card to access the authorized user’s credit line, but only the authorized user is responsible for making payments.

If you’re nervous to strike out on your own in the credit card market, some of the best credit-building options may require asking a relative or someone else you trust if you can become an authorized user on their credit card account. Bankrate editor Daniella Ramirez went this route and could skip the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card and obtain its full-fledged counterpart.

My parents added me as an authorized user on their Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card, and I built my credit history by being associated with their account. They maintained a good payment history on the card, so I essentially piggybacked on their credit, which reflects on my credit report. Thanks to being an authorized user, I built a good credit score and had access to the full Quicksilver card right away.
Daniella Ramirez, Bankrate editor

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

*The information about the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students and the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Frequently asked questions about student credit cards

How we assess the best cards for students

When evaluating the best cards for students, we consider a mix of factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether cards offer features that make it easy to build credit history while minimizing costs.

We analyzed over 50 of the most popular cards designed for students and rated each based on its cost, APR, credit-building features and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup.

Here’s a look at how our rating methodology breaks down for student credit cards:

Overall Score

Ongoing cost 45%
Perks 35%
Introductory offer 10%
Customer experience 10%

We use primary sources to support our work. Bankrate’s authors, reporters and editors are subject-matter experts who thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate, timely and relevant.
1. “Credit scoring alternatives for those without credit.” U.S. Government Accountability Office. Accessed on Feb. 3, 2025.
2. “Taxpayer Identification numbers (TIN).” Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Accessed on Feb. 3, 2025.
3. “Consumer Expenditures 2023,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Accessed on Feb. 3, 2025.

Seychelle Thomas, CFEI® Writer, Credit Cards

Seychelle is a credit card writer and Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ at Bankrate where she employs a cumulative 12 years of experience in the finance industry to help…

Courtney Mihocik Senior editor, credit cards

Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at…

* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.

Best student credit cards of May 2025

+ Show Summary

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Chase Freedom Rise®

Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback for Students

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students

Discover it® Student Chrome

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Compare Bankrate’s top student credit cards

Researching the best student credit cards

Why you should build credit as a student

What makes a great student card

Credit-building tools

Student-centric perks

Upgrade potential

Credit requirements

Easy on fees

Welcome offers