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    Best Student Credit Cards of 2025

    Student credit cards are designed for college students with limited or no credit history. They offer easier approval requirements, lower credit limits, and features like cash back rewards and good grade bonuses. Building credit early sets you up for better rates on future loans and credit cards. We've selected the best student cards for every type of student.

    Quick Comparison

    CardAnnual FeeRating
    Discover it® Student Cash Back

    Best Overall Student Card

    		$04.7/5
    Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards

    Best for Dining & Entertainment

    		$04.5/5
    Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card

    Best for Building Credit

    		$04.3/5
    Deserve® EDU Mastercard

    Best for International Students

    		$04.1/5

    Detailed Card Reviews

    1

    Discover it® Student Cash Back

    Discover

    Best Overall Student Card

    Annual Fee

    $0

    Sign-Up Bonus

    Cashback Match: all cash back earned in the first year is matched

    Regular APR

    18.24% – 27.24% Variable

    Credit Score

    Fair to Good (no credit history OK)

    Rewards Rate

    5% in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else

    Intro APR

    0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases

    4.7

    Why We Like It

    The Discover it Student Cash Back is the best overall student card thanks to its Cashback Match feature (which doubles all rewards in the first year) and Good Grade Reward ($20 statement credit for each school year your GPA is 3.0+). It's designed for students with limited credit history.

    Pros

    • Cashback Match doubles all rewards in Year 1
    • $20 Good Grade Reward each year (GPA 3.0+)
    • $0 annual fee
    • No credit history required

    Cons

    • Must activate rotating categories each quarter
    • 5% rate capped at $1,500/quarter
    • Discover not accepted everywhere

    Who Should Apply

    College students looking for their first credit card. The Cashback Match and Good Grade Reward make it especially rewarding for students who maintain good grades and pay their balance in full.

    Apply Now
    2

    Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards

    Capital One

    Best for Dining & Entertainment

    Annual Fee

    $0

    Sign-Up Bonus

    $50 cash bonus after spending $100 in first 3 months

    Regular APR

    19.99% – 29.99% Variable

    Credit Score

    Fair (no credit history OK)

    Rewards Rate

    3% on dining, entertainment, popular streaming, and grocery stores; 1% on everything else

    4.5

    Why We Like It

    The SavorOne Student is perfect for students who spend on dining, entertainment, and streaming. The 3% rate in these categories is strong for a student card, and the $50 bonus has an easy $100 spending threshold.

    Pros

    • 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming, and groceries
    • Easy $50 sign-up bonus ($100 spend)
    • $0 annual fee
    • No credit history required

    Cons

    • 1% on non-category spending is low
    • No intro APR offer
    • Sign-up bonus is modest

    Who Should Apply

    Students who spend regularly on dining, takeout, streaming subscriptions, and entertainment. The low spending threshold for the sign-up bonus makes it accessible for students with limited income.

    Apply Now
    3

    Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card

    Chase

    Best for Building Credit

    Annual Fee

    $0

    Sign-Up Bonus

    $50 bonus after first purchase in first 3 months

    Regular APR

    20.49% – 29.24% Variable

    Credit Score

    Fair (no credit history OK)

    Rewards Rate

    1% cash back on all purchases

    4.3

    Why We Like It

    The Chase Freedom Student is designed for credit-building. While the rewards are modest, it provides a gateway to the Chase ecosystem — including future upgrades to the Freedom Unlimited or Sapphire cards. The $50 bonus after just one purchase is the easiest sign-up bonus to earn.

    Pros

    • $50 bonus after first purchase
    • Gateway to Chase ecosystem (upgrade potential)
    • $0 annual fee
    • Reports to all three credit bureaus

    Cons

    • Only 1% cash back on all purchases
    • No intro APR offer
    • Limited rewards compared to other student cards

    Who Should Apply

    Students who want to build credit within the Chase ecosystem. If you plan to eventually upgrade to a Chase Freedom Unlimited or Sapphire card, starting here builds your Chase relationship and credit history.

    Apply Now
    4

    Deserve® EDU Mastercard

    Deserve

    Best for International Students

    Annual Fee

    $0

    Sign-Up Bonus

    1 year of Amazon Prime Student (for eligible students)

    Regular APR

    18.74% – 25.74% Variable

    Credit Score

    Fair (no credit history or SSN required)

    Rewards Rate

    1% cash back on all purchases

    4.1

    Why We Like It

    The Deserve EDU Mastercard stands out because it doesn't require an SSN or credit history — making it one of the few cards accessible to international students studying in the U.S. The Amazon Prime Student perk adds real value.

    Pros

    • No SSN required (accessible for international students)
    • Free Amazon Prime Student for 1 year
    • $0 annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fees

    Cons

    • Only 1% cash back
    • Limited rewards structure
    • Lower credit limits typical

    Who Should Apply

    International students or students without an SSN who need a U.S. credit card. Also good for any student who wants Amazon Prime Student included at no cost.

    Apply Now

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes! Many issuers offer student-specific credit cards designed for applicants with limited or no credit history. You'll typically need to be at least 18 years old. If you're under 21, the CARD Act requires you to show independent income or have a co-signer.

    Absolutely. All of the student cards on this page report to the major credit bureaus. By making on-time payments and keeping your utilization low, you'll build a strong credit history that will benefit you after graduation.

    Student cards typically start with lower credit limits ($500–$2,000). Your limit may increase over time as you demonstrate responsible use. Capital One and Discover are known for offering automatic credit limit increases.

    If you have limited or no credit history, a student card will be easier to get approved for. Once you've built 1-2 years of credit history, you can apply for regular cards with better rewards rates.