Skip to Main Content

Best Chase student credit cards

Written by Edited by
Published on March 06, 2024 | 4 min read

Bankrate is always editorially independent. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for . The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Our is to ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.

two young persons studying at a library
Rido/Adobe Stock

In college, many students may feel that using a debit card is safer or easier than using a credit card. But it would be wise for students to pay attention to their credit scores early on so they can set themselves up for financial success. By starting out with credit slowly, and by learning positive financial habits along the way, students have the potential to build a strong credit history and an impressive score — which will come in handy when they apply for an apartment or a loan.

While plenty of financial products exist to help students build credit from scratch, students who already have some credit history may be wondering which credit cards are available to them. While many card issuers like Discover and Capital One offer several credit cards for students, Chase has just one dedicated student credit card. However, it has some other credit cards that would work well for students, which we’ll explore below.

Comparing the best Chase student cards

Card name Reward highlights Bankrate review score
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
  • 1% back on all purchases
3.4 / 5
Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
  • 1.5% cash back on all purchases
N/A
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
  • 5% cash back on Lyft purchases (through March 2025)
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
  • 3% cash back on dining
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
  • 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
5 / 5
Chase Freedom Flex®
  • 5% cash back on activated bonus category purchases each quarter (up to $1,500 in purchases, then 1 percent) and travel purchases through Chase Travel℠
  • 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
  • 3% cash back on dining (including restaurants, takeout and eligible delivery services) and drugstore purchases
  • 1% cash back on all other purchases
4.8 / 5

Top Chase student cards

Chase Freedom® Student credit card image
Best overall Chase student card

Chase Freedom® Student credit card

Rating: 3.4 stars out of 5
3.4
Best for building credit

Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited® image
Best for travel rewards

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5
Chase Freedom Flex℠ image
Best for rotating bonus categories

Chase Freedom Flex®

Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

How to choose a Chase credit card as a student

The best Chase credit card for students is the one that helps you reach your goals. These tips can help you figure out which option might work best for your wallet.

Read all of the terms and conditions

Each Chase card, like any credit card, comes with a unique set of terms and conditions. Look closely at details like added fees, interest rates and card perks and benefits. Aim to pick a card that fits well into your budget and your schedule and possesses the added features you want most.

Look for intro APR offers

If you have high interest debt to pay off or if you’re hoping to pay for a large purchase over time without paying interest — maybe you need to furnish your first apartment or you’re hoping to book a trip abroad next semester — you may want to look for a Chase credit card with a 0 percent introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers or both.

Decide on the type of rewards you want

If you want to earn rewards on your spending, see which cards offer a rewards structure that makes sense with your spending habits. If you spend a lot across a broad scope of categories, try choosing a flat-rate rewards card that will give you competitive earnings on every purchase. If you don’t mind tracking rotating categories and enrollment dates or you spend the most in a few select categories, choosing a bonus or rotating category rewards card may be what fits best.

Frequently asked questions

  • No, not every Chase card charges a foreign transaction fee. However, the Chase cards that do skip this added cost are often the issuer’s most premier travel rewards cards or co-branded travel cards.
  • The easiest Chase card to get as a student would likely be the Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card. It’s designed specifically for people just getting started with building credit, and offers competitive flat rewards and incentives for building a positive credit history.
  • Once you graduate, you don’t have to get rid of your student or starter credit card. In fact, if the card is the first line of credit you’ve opened, it’s likely better for your score to keep the account open and active to maintain the length of your credit history. You could also look to update your card to one that’s more rewarding and better suits your life beyond being a student.

The bottom line

Chase offers several credit cards that would work well for students who already have a good credit history. No-annual-fee cash back cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited and Chase Freedom Flex are wallet staples for many consumers, so you won’t need to worry about upgrading a student card once you graduate. And for students who are already in the market for an entry-level travel card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred could be worth considering, if they’re open to paying an annual fee.

*The information about the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, Chase Freedom Flex®, and the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.