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You can set yourself up for financial success as a student by learning to use credit and building the foundation for a good credit score. Student credit cards are a great tool to help you get started.

Even without a strong credit history, you can get approved for a student credit card while you’re in school. As you use the card for regular purchases and pay off your balances, that payment history gets reported to the credit bureaus and goes on your credit report. Plus, you can earn rewards on your spending along the way.

Using a student card today establishes the credit you’ll need in the future to rent an apartment, take on auto or personal loans, buy a home, and more.

Best student credit cards for 2025

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Why we like it: The Discover it Student Cash Back card isn’t just a common choice for students — it’s also one of the best. It offers rotating quarterly categories with up to 5% cash back across everyday purchases, from dining out, groceries, and streaming services to specific retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.

Let’s say you put all the expenses you can on your Discover card and pay the balance off in full each month. Not including housing expenses, the College Board estimates a low-cost budget for college students across the 2025-2026 school year is about $15,077 per year, or $1,256 per month.

Only accounting for the 1% back outside of bonus categories, that’s around $150 you’d earn over the first year. With the Discover it Student Cash Back card’s Cashback Match welcome offer, you could also get an additional $150 at the end of your first year, for around $300 cash back — even before taking any 5% categories into account.

If you can max out your 5% rewards each quarter by spending $1,500 in the rotating categories, that’s an extra $300 you’d earn over a year — and another $300 you could get matched with through the welcome offer.

When you graduate, your card will work the same as any standard credit card. You can call Discover to update your information and see if you’re eligible for a credit line increase — and continue using it for spending and rewards.

Read our full review of the Discover it Student Cash Back card

See how this student card stacks up against the secured version — read our full review of the Discover it® Secured Card

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Why we like it: Just like the regular Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card is among our favorite cash-back credit cards available today, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card is one of the best cards for students who want to maximize cash-back earnings.

Even on a limited student budget, 3% cash back across everyday purchase categories can quickly add up. You’ll get an unlimited 3% back on dining, entertainment purchases, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores. If these purchases make up the bulk of your monthly budget — maybe you live off campus and don’t eat at dining halls or you cover streaming subscriptions for your shared apartment — the Savor Student Rewards card is a great option.

You can qualify for a modest welcome offer with this card, and regular reporting to the credit bureaus will help you build your credit while you earn rewards. Once you graduate, you can continue using the card and earning rewards on your spending in bonus categories.

Read our full review of the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Why we like it: Discover it Student Chrome is our pick for commuter students thanks to its rewards categories that can help lower the cost of regular expenses for off-campus students.

Based on the College Board’s low-cost budget for 2025-2026, students spend 30% of their overall $24,240 annual budget on food and 11% on transportation. If you eat most meals away from home (including fast food, takeout, and restaurant delivery) and drive your car between home, work, and school, that’s equal to $606 on food per month and $222 on transportation.

Using the Discover it Student Chrome, you’ll get 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations up to the first $1,000 spent each quarter, then 1%. If you spend the above totals each month dining out and filling up your gas tank, you’d easily max out the quarterly cap — earning $20 per quarter in rewards at 2%.

The rest of your food and transportation spending for the quarter would earn 1%, and net you $14.84 in rewards. In total, that’s a potential $34.84 in rewards each quarter or $139.36 per year.

On top of ongoing rewards, the Discover it Student Chrome also has a great Cashback Match welcome offer for new cardholders, an introductory APR on purchases, and no annual fee.

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Why we like it: The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students might require more strategizing to maximize your rewards than the other cards on our list. But you can potentially earn enough annual cash back to make it more than worth the hassle.

You’ll earn 3% rewards in your choice of the following categories: gas and EV charging stations; online shopping (including cable, internet, phone plans, and streaming); dining; travel; drugstores and pharmacies; or home improvement and furnishings. The best part is that you can change your choice category monthly to fit how you spend money.

During move-in week, for example, you may want to opt for home improvement and furnishings as you decorate your dorm or apartment. Then, you might switch to dining or gas and EV charging for your everyday spending. As spring break approaches, it could make sense to change your choice category to travel for booking a vacation, and so on.

Like many student cards, there are spending caps to keep in mind. You’ll earn those 3% rewards as well as 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs only up to the first combined $2,500 each quarter, or about $833 per month. Say you meet that cap with $1,000 in spending in your 3% choice category and $1,500 buying groceries each quarter. You could earn $60 quarterly or $240 each year in cash back (before any additional 1% rewards).

This card also comes with an introductory 0% APR on new purchases (which can be a great way to finance big purchases without paying interest for several months), a solid cash welcome bonus, and no annual fee cost.

Read our full review of the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students

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Why we like it: While most rewards credit cards designed for students earn cash back, you can also find great savings toward travel. The Bank of America Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students has a simple rewards structure, earning an unlimited 1.5x points on every purchase.

You can use those rewards to get statement credits toward travel purchases, from flights and cruises to baggage fees and other incidentals. You’ll also be able to redeem your points toward purchases at restaurants (including takeout) when you’re not traveling.

If you’re planning to study abroad while you’re in school (or spend a summer backpacking in another country), this card can make a great companion. You don’t have to worry about tracking categories to maximize spending, you can use the points you earn to wipe out your travel expenses, and you’ll pay no foreign transaction fees on those purchases abroad.

This card’s introductory 0% APR on new purchases may be helpful for study abroad expenses too. If you’re planning to spend more than what’s in your typical budget to fund your international travel, you’ll have time to pay down the cost without paying more in interest. Just make sure you have a plan to eliminate the balance in full by the end of that period — or you’ll risk taking on high-interest debt.

More student credit cards to consider

These are a few more credit cards you can benefit from as a student:

Why we like it: If you prefer simple credit card rewards, you may like the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards card. With 1.5% flat-rate cash back on every purchase you make, you’ll get rewarded no matter what your regular purchases are. If, for example, your annual spending as a student aligns with the College Board’s low-budget total of $15,077 (after excluding housing costs) and you put those expenses on your Quicksilver Student card, you could earn a total of $496 in cash back each year. It also has a small cash welcome bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fee.

Read our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

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Why we like it: A secured credit card can make a good choice for students looking to build credit, since they’re also designed to help you improve your credit score. Unlike student cards, secured cards require an up-front (often refundable) security deposit at account opening. We like the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card because it has some added flexibility. After approval for the card, you’ll be assigned either a $49, $99, or $200 security deposit; when you pay that deposit, you’ll get a $200 credit line — though you can choose to pay more for a higher credit limit, up to $1,000.

As you use your Capital One Platinum Secured, you can also benefit. After as little as six months, you’ll be automatically considered for a higher credit limit with no additional deposit, and over time you can qualify to get your security deposit back and upgrade to the unsecured version of the card. The Capital One Platinum Secured doesn’t come with any welcome offer or rewards, and you’ll pay no annual fee.

Read our full Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card review

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Why we like it: Unlike the other cards on our list, the Prime Visa isn’t designed for college students. If you have no credit history, you may find it more difficult to get approved for this card. But there are ways college students can qualify: Maybe you built credit as an authorized user on a family member’s card account, for example, or you’re an upperclassman who’s had a student card for a couple of years already.

This card can save any Amazon shopper a good amount of money, but it can be especially lucrative for college students. The Prime membership required for the Prime Visa card typically runs $14.99 per month, or $139 per year. But as a student, you’re eligible for a discounted rate of $7.49 per month or $69 per year.

In addition to the surprising range of rewards categories for a co-branded credit card, you’ll get 5% savings on all your Amazon spending. College students going back to school spent around $1,365 on supplies and other back-to-college gear in 2024, for example. If you picked up all your necessities at Amazon using this card, that could net you $68.25 in savings — without considering all your other Amazon purchases throughout the school year.

Read our full review of the Prime Visa card

How do student credit cards work?

Student credit cards are a great first credit card to establish good credit habits, since they work exactly like other cards. You can use a student card to make purchases up to your assigned credit limit. Each month, you’ll get a credit card statement with an overview of your purchases, and a due date to pay the minimum required payment. After that due date, you’ll begin to accrue interest on any remaining balance.

It’s smart to pay your student credit card balance in full each month so you can avoid very high interest charges and debt. Make sure you track what you’re purchasing on your student card so you don’t end up unable to pay your balance when it’s due at the end of the month.

Related: How does credit card interest work?

Student credit cards are designed for students, which means you may need to provide proof of your enrollment when you apply, depending on your credit card issuer. When you graduate, you may have the option to change your student card to a similar nonstudent card from the issuer or continue to use the existing card.

As you use your card and make payments each billing cycle, your issuer will report those payments to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), which will help you build your credit score. Always make these payments on time each billing cycle and avoid using a large amount of your available credit to ensure you’re getting the greatest credit score benefit from your student credit card.

Read more: How college students can use credit cards responsibly

What to look for in a student credit card

Before you apply for a student credit card, here are a few things to consider:

Fees and interest rates

If you don’t have a strong credit history to prove to issuers that you can make your payments on time and in full, you may look like a risky applicant — even if you know you can pay your bills.

Many cards available to students and others with limited credit or no credit history may have higher fees, including annual fees, initiation fees, monthly account fees, and more. They may also carry higher interest rates than other credit cards.

Read the fine print to find details about any fees you might take on and how often you’ll need to pay. If a card has an unusual amount of fees, much higher fees than its competitors, or hides fee notices behind dense language within a card agreement — it’s probably best to avoid that card.

Read more: Credit card fees explained — 8 types you should know

Whether you need a cosigner

If you’re under 21, it may be difficult to get approved for a credit card on your own. Under the law, credit card issuers cannot approve new cards for young adults between ages 18 and 20 unless they can prove they have the ability to make regular payments (generally based on income).

New credit card applications generally require you to provide personal information including your name, address, Social Security number, income, birth date, and more.

If you’re between ages 18 and 20 and you don’t have a regular income, you may need a cosigner to help you open the account. This person will take responsibility for your credit card payments if you’re unable to make them yourself.

Before you apply, you can also check for preapproval offers from the issuer. This is a good way to see your chances of getting approved for student credit cards without a hard credit check (which can temporarily hurt your credit score).

Read more: How old do you have to be to get a credit card?

Bonus rewards categories

Student credit cards aren’t known for flashy sign-up bonuses or high-value annual credits and benefits — those are typically reserved for rewards credit cards that require higher credit scores.

But credit card offers for students can still help you earn great rewards and take advantage of valuable perks. Many student rewards cards will offer cash-back rewards, which makes it easy to cash in for a statement credit or direct deposit whenever you want. Some even earn points you can redeem toward travel in the form of statement credits or as part of the issuer’s rewards program.

While you’re weighing options, look for rewards categories that best align with where you spend most. If you’re on a dining plan at your school, for example, you may not get the best benefit from a grocery rewards credit card. Instead, you may want to look for a flat rewards rate on every purchase or rewards more targeted to your budget.

Long-term use

Good student credit cards, alongside secured credit cards and cards for people with no credit history, can act as stepping stones to higher-value, more lucrative credit card options.

Consider choosing a credit card from an issuer that offers credit cards you may want in the future — if you like the airport lounge access benefits of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, for example, you might want to consider one of Capital One’s student credit cards.

While this doesn’t guarantee you’ll get approved for the card you want anytime soon, you may have the chance to upgrade your card later on — if your account is in good standing and you have a proven history of good credit habits.

You can also continue to use your student credit card’s rewards after graduation. So if you find a card with solid cash-back or travel rewards that fit your spending, it could be a good option you can benefit from for years to come.

Read more: How to choose a student credit card

Should I open a student credit card?

If you’re a student, opening a student credit card can be a great way to begin building credit. You’ll have the opportunity to earn rewards on your spending while you set yourself up with a solid credit score that will allow you to apply for a loan, mortgage, and other financial products in the future.

There are some cases in which you may not opt for a student credit card, though.

For example, if you already have a credit history, you may be able to qualify for nonstudent cards already. A common way to build credit — even before age 18 — is by becoming an authorized user on a trusted loved one’s credit card account. Over time, the primary account holder’s positive payment history can help you (as the authorized user) build credit and eventually qualify for your own credit card.

You can learn more about authorized users and when it might be a good option below.

Related: Authorized user vs. joint credit cards — Which is better?

You should also make sure you meet the requirements for a student card. You should be enrolled as a student at a university, community college, or other higher education institution — but you’ll also need to meet certain age and income requirements.

You must be at least 18 to apply for your own credit card. If you’re between the ages of 18 and 21, you’ll also need to prove that you have an independent source of income.

Making the most of your student credit card

Start maximizing your student credit card by getting familiar with all that it has to offer.

If you qualify for a 0% intro APR offer on new purchases, you may want to apply when you know you have a large purchase coming up and could benefit from some extra time to pay it off interest-free.

If your student credit card offers rewards, make sure to charge all your purchases across bonus categories to the card so you can get the best possible return. As long as you pay your balance in full by the time your balance is due — in other words, treating your credit card like a debit card — you can make money back in points or cash back without worrying about any extra interest charges.

But the greatest benefit of opening a student credit card is the lasting effect on your personal finances. The earlier you’re able to begin building your credit history and your credit score, the better you can set yourself up for future financial success. A good credit score can be key to everything from renting an apartment to qualifying for a mortgage to getting approved for a more premium rewards credit card.

Read more:
Can you pay college tuition with a credit card?
Should you use a credit card to pay for college textbooks?

Building credit as a college student

It’s possible to open a student credit card with no credit, but you should make sure you use it to improve your credit so you qualify for more options over time. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you work on building a great credit score with your student credit card:

• Pay on time. Credit cards can carry severe penalties for making late payments. Late payment fees can frequently cost up to $40, and even a single late payment could result in a penalty APR that increases your interest rate for a period of time. Set up alerts or automatic payments (through your online card account or mobile app) to ensure you always pay at least the minimum by your due date.

• Pay in full. While you only need to pay the minimum monthly payments to avoid extra fees, paying your balance in full is the only way to avoid paying interest on the purchases you make with your card. There’s no benefit to carrying a balance month to month. In fact, it can cost you a lot of money over time, especially on credit-building cards with interest rates upwards of 20% APR.

• Keep your utilization low. Beyond payment history, credit utilization is an important factor in your credit score. This is the ratio of how much you charge to your card compared to your overall available credit. Aim to keep your utilization at 30% or below — on a card with a $1,000 limit, that’s about $300. This can be a challenge if you’re approved for a small limit or have a secured card, but as your credit score improves, you can often qualify for a higher limit and more flexibility.

• Track your credit progress. After opening your student credit card, you can access your credit score through your online account. You’re also entitled to weekly free credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus via AnnualCreditReport.com. Tracking your credit score and credit report regularly can help ensure you’re making progress toward your credit goals. You’ll also be able to quickly spot and resolve any signs of fraud or mistakes on your report.

Authorized user option

A common way for students to build credit (beyond student credit cards) is by becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card account. If you have a parent or loved one with good credit, they can designate you as an authorized user and help you build your credit score with access to their line of credit.

As an authorized user, you’ll typically get your own card that’s connected to the other person’s account. They’ll remain responsible for any charges you make, so you’ll need to work out how to separate payments (and any rewards earnings). If you overspend on your authorized user card without taking any responsibility for the payments, the primary cardholder could risk liability for mounting balances on their account.

As an authorized user, payment history for the account will appear on your credit report, which can help you build credit over time. However, if the primary cardholder misses payments or pays late, you could suffer the consequences.

This relationship requires trust on both sides; it’s important to only become an authorized user on a responsible family member or friend’s account with a good credit history.

Student credit cards FAQs

Still wondering how you can choose the best student credit card? These FAQs can help:

What type of credit card should a college student get?

As a college student, choose a credit card you can use to begin developing habits that will help you maintain great credit and avoid high-interest debt in the future.

Student credit cards are great for college students because they often offer rewards on everyday purchases and come with no annual fee. Secured credit cards are another useful card type, since they’re often easier to qualify for than unsecured cards, but they often allow you to upgrade to a regular card after you build a positive payment history.

Is it worth getting a credit card as a college student?

There are plenty of reasons it can be worth it to get a credit card as a college student.

For one, you’ll have the opportunity to build credit while you’re in school. Once you graduate, start your career, and have more income, you may want to start working toward buying a car or a house. Having great credit before you reach those life stages can help you qualify for better loans with more competitive rates — saving you money over time.

Another reason to consider a credit card as a student is the opportunity to start practicing good credit habits. You can get into the routine of paying a monthly credit card bill, learn about your credit limits and credit utilization, and practice spending only what you can afford. Later on, these habits will help you avoid credit card debt with high interest rates that could cost you a lot of money.

How do you get a credit card as a student with no income?

If you’re under age 21, you’ll need to prove that you have an independent income source (and can make your card payments) to get approved for a credit card. If you have no income, consider asking a trusted friend or family member to be your cosigner. They’ll take on responsibility if you’re unable to pay your card balances.

Another option you may have as a student with no income is to become an authorized user on someone else’s card account. Again, it’s important to find a trusted loved one who uses their card responsibly. You’ll get a card connected to their account and can make purchases and build credit, but the main account holder is ultimately responsible for paying down balances.

What is the best credit card for students?

If you’re looking for the best credit card for college students, take a look at your own financial situation, spending habits, and goals.

Do you have no credit history at all or have you already built a solid credit base as an authorized user on someone else’s card? Are you planning to study abroad soon and want a card you can use for potential international emergencies? Maybe this is your first year living off campus and you want a card you can use to buy groceries or take on morning coffee runs, but also want to increase your thin credit profile.

For each of these scenarios, the best credit card can vary. Before you apply, take time to compare different cards that might match the card details you’re looking for and can help set you up for credit success in the near future and long term.

Is Amex good for students?

American Express doesn’t currently offer any student credit cards or secured credit cards. You’ll generally need a good-to-excellent credit score (or a FICO Score of at least 670) for the best chances of qualifying for any Amex card today, which can be a challenge for students just starting to build credit.

If your goal is to open an American Express credit card for great rewards, annual perks, and more — consider using a student credit card to begin building credit, then apply for the Amex card you want once you have a solid credit history and great credit score.

Read more: Best American Express credit cards

What is the best Chase credit card for college students with no credit score?

You won’t find a wide range of Chase student credit cards today, but one Chase card that students may qualify for is the Chase Freedom Rise®. This card is designed for credit building, but also offers a 1.5% cash back rate on all purchases.

Each year, Chase will evaluate your account to determine whether you qualify to upgrade from the Chase Freedom Rise to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® — which comes with added rewards categories, benefits, and more. Plus, the same responsible payments that can qualify you for the upgrade will also help you increase your credit score, so you’ll be more likely to get approved for whichever Chase credit card best fits your goals.

Read more: The best Chase credit cards

Our methodology

We kept our search for the best student credit card simple by only evaluating credit cards designed for students. While students may also be able to qualify for secured credit cards, retail credit cards, and other credit-building card options, we wanted to find the best option specifically for college students.

After compiling a list of around 15 student credit cards available today, we rated each one based on criteria that we believe can offer the most value for student credit cardholders looking to build a solid credit foundation.

The specific details we looked for include each card’s rewards structure and whether it offers any welcome bonus, introductory 0% APR, or option to upgrade to a nonstudent card after graduation. To focus on the goal of building credit, we awarded points to any cards with credit-building incentives. With any of the cards on our list, you can also be assured that payments are reported to the credit bureaus, and you’ll have credit score access through your account. Finally, we looked at fees — ongoing variable APR, annual fee, and no foreign transaction fees — giving preference to the cards that cost less for any student cardholder.

Our final picks represent the cards that scored highest using this rubric. However, we also included a few additional cards to highlight more options we like for students. These include cards that didn’t quite score as high as the primary list, as well as secured and retail options we think can also be solid choices for students, even if they aren’t student credit cards.

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Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.