Best credit cards for students with no credit

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Published on January 17, 2025 | 5 min read

The advice in this article is offered by the team independent of any bank or credit card issuer. This article may contain from our partners, and terms may apply to offers linked or accessed through this page. as of posting date, but offers mentioned may have expired.

Key takeaways

A student card can be an ideal way to start building credit if you have little to no credit history.
Most student credit cards are designed for students with student-centric perks and relaxed credit requirements.
In addition to practicing good credit habits consistently, picking a card that reports to at least one of the three credit bureaus is crucial for tracking your progress when building credit.

If you want to get approved for a student card but you haven’t started building credit yet, there’s no reason to despair. Building credit can be challenging when you’re first starting out, but there are credit cards geared to students with no credit history or who have a thin credit profile.

Many student cards for no credit are secured cards — meaning they require a security deposit. However, there are plenty of unsecured credit cards for students that we’ve included if you’re not a fan of putting your money on hold. Our card recommendations were made with people like you in mind, so compare them to find the right fit.

Top cards for students with no credit

When you’re trying to build credit from scratch, you’ll want the cards with the best approval odds. Here are the cards we’d recommend, their greatest attributes and who they’re best for.

Comparing the best cards for students with no credit

Card name	Bankrate score	Minimum credit score	Rewards offered	Welcome bonus
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card	4.6	No credit history required	8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services 1% Cash Back on all other purchases	$50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Discover it® Student Cash Back	5.0	No credit history required	5 percent cash back on activated rotating categories (on up to $1,500 in combined purchases, then 1 percent)	Discover will match all cash back earned at the end of your first year with the card.
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card	5.0	No credit history required	1 percent on eligible purchases Up to 1.5 percent on eligible purchases when you make 12 on-time payments	None
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card	4.0	No credit history required	1.5 percent cash back on all purchases	$50 cash bonus when you spend $100 in three months.
Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback	3.0	No credit history required. No hard inquiry.	Earn up to 15 percent cash back on over 29,000 partner merchants Get up to 10 percent random cash back after every eligible purchase	None
Chase Freedom Rise®	N/A	No credit history required. Having a Chase checking or savings account with at least $250 can improve your approval chances.	1.5 percent cash back on all purchases	$25 statement credit when you enroll in autopay within 3 months of account opening and stay enrolled for at least 90 days.

How to choose a student credit card without a credit history

Finding a student credit card that can help you build credit from scratch might be tricky, but it’s worth it. It all starts with knowing what’s important to you. If your main priority is building credit then top-tier rewards might be on the backburner for now. It’s also wise to picture how this card will fit into your life as a student. Will it be hard to keep up with rotating categories or monthly payments as you encounter finals or rush week? Do you plan to travel internationally or study abroad with the card you’re choosing? These are the factors you’ll want to compare as you’re picking your new student credit card:

Interest rates: Check whether cards you’re considering offer introductory rates on purchases. You’ll also want to know your new card’s ongoing APR, which will impact how much interest you’re charged if you carry a balance.
Fees: Look for student credit cards that charge minimal fees or no fees. Don’t settle for cards that charge an annual fee.
Rewards: If rewards are interesting to you, compare student cards to find one that offers more rewards in categories you spend a lot in. Conversely, you can also opt for a card that offers a higher flat rate of rewards on everything you buy.
Credit reporting: Finally, make sure cards you’re considering report your credit balances and payments to the three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Welcome offers: Some cards offer the chance to earn a bonus when you spend a certain amount or meet certain criteria close to account opening. If you’re deciding between two cards with similar stats, this could act as a tie-breaker.

How to build credit when you have none

If you’re just getting started building credit, there are a few key actions you’ll want to take to ensure you kick off your credit on a positive note.

Only spend what you can afford to pay back.

Payment history has the biggest influence on your credit score. Once you open a line of credit, like a credit card, do your best to pay your balances in full whenever possible and always pay on time.

Keep your credit utilization ratio low.

The second largest influence on your credit score is your credit utilization ratio, or how much credit you use in relation to how much credit you have available to you. Keeping your credit utilization under 30 percent is one of the best ways to help build your credit.

Consider becoming an authorized user.

If you aren’t looking to get your own card right away, being an authorized user on someone else’s card could be an alternative. Just make sure that the person you choose is a responsible credit user and someone you can trust.

Is a student credit card right for you?

If you are currently in school, you don’t earn a lot of money and you have limited credit or no credit history on your credit reports then a student card might be the right choice. If you have never had a credit card or any type of loan before, these factors likely apply in your case.

With that being said, you should note that students ages 18 to 20 can only report their own personal income on their credit card applications, which can include income from jobs or income derived from scholarships or financial aid. As a result, it can be difficult to get approved for a student card if you don’t earn much of an income. If you’re 21 or older you may be able to include household income on your application.

If you have fair credit or better and a regular income, on the other hand, you’re more likely to get approved. You may not even have to choose a student credit card at all. The fact is, there are many credit cards for fair credit or good credit you may be eligible for if you have a job and you pay your own bills.How can you decide on your next steps? Your best bet is checking your credit score to see where you stand. You can also take steps to build your credit history, such as using apps like Experian Boost to get credit for subscription services you have or utility bills you pay.

What’s next?

Student budget calculator

Calculate your college budget

CardMatchTM

Find your student credit card match

The bottom line

Student credit cards were built with students in mind which is why it’s easier for those with no credit history to get approved. These types of cards also tend to have perks, rewards and fee structures that are tailored to college students.

While there are plenty of unsecured student credit cards available for no credit history, it’s possible that you may still have to apply for a secured card to get started until you’re eligible for an unsecured credit card. Either way, the steps to improving your credit are the same. Always make on-time payments, avoid overspending, don’t apply for credit too often and keep your credit utilization below 30 percent.

Frequently asked questions

Written by

Seychelle Thomas, CFEI®

Writer, Credit Cards

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Part of Starter Credit Cards for Students

Best credit cards for students with no credit

Key takeaways

Top cards for students with no credit

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Discover it® Student Cash Back

Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback

Chase Freedom Rise®