Best Student Credit Cards of 2026
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A student credit card can be a great financial tool to help you build your credit history and develop good debt management skills.
For those with no credit history, student cards are often easier to get approved for than traditional credit cards. Sometimes the only requirement for approval is proof of college or university enrollment and a stable income. They may also offer a higher number of rewards for popular bonus categories like dining, gas and travel.
Read on for our list of the best student credit cards, their rewards and benefits and how to choose the best one for you.
Our Top Picks for the Best Credit Cards for Students 2026
All prices and data are current as of Feb. 24, 2026.
Best Student Credit Cards Reviews
Why we chose it: The Discover it Student Cash Back card has no annual fee, no external transaction fee and 5% cash back (up to a quarterly cap) on variable installments.
Additionally, the card offers 1% on all other purchases with a 0% introductory APR for the first six months. After that, APRs range from 16.49% to 25.49%. Like the Discover it Cash Back card, the student version also offers unlimited cash back matching as a sign-up bonus for 12 consecutive payment cycles or 365 days – whichever is longer.
The card also features a $0 fraud guarantee and an introductory 10.99% APR for six months on balance transfers. All information about the Discover it Student Cash Back Card has been independently collected by Money.com.
Terms apply. Please click here for current rates and fees.
Why we chose it: The Bank of America Student Personalized Cash Rewards Credit Card offers the best student card sign-up bonus, with both a $200 cash bonus and 6% cash back on select categories for the first year.
This card has a promotional 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 payment cycles. Typical APRs are 17.49% to 27.49% (variable). Balance transfers must be made within 60 days to qualify for 0% APR; 3% fee. After 60 days, it goes up to 5%. There is also a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
New cardholders can earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days. In the first year, cardholders earn 6% back (3% regular rate plus 3% first-year bonus) in their preferred category on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% everywhere. The card has no annual fee.
Terms apply. Please click here for current rates and fees.
Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Rise Card is the best card for students to build credit because it offers rewards with no annual fee.
Freedom Rise has a variable APR of 25.24% and allows cardholders to earn 1.5% cash rewards. New cardholders can get a $25 statement credit by signing up for automatic payments within the first three months. There is a balance transfer fee of $5 or 5%, whichever is greater, and a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
The bank says Chase customers with accounts with a balance of at least $250 have a higher chance of being approved, making this a good alternative to a secured credit card for people just starting to build credit. Every year, cardholders are eligible to be screened to upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited card.
Terms apply. Please click here for current rates and fees.
Why we chose it: Capital One’s Savor Rewards for Students is the best card for students studying abroad, because it has no foreign transaction fees.
The variable APR range is from 18.49% to 28.49%. Cardholders get unlimited 3% cash back on grocery stores (except major stores like Walmart and Target), restaurants, entertainment and popular streaming services. There is a 4% balance transfer fee.
New cardholders can earn a $50 sign-up bonus by using the Savor Reward for Students on $100 in purchases in the first three months. The card has no annual fee.
Terms apply. Please click here for current rates and fees.
Why we chose it: Bank of America’s Unlimited Cash Rewards Card for Students is the best student cash back card because it offers unlimited cash back of 2% in the first year (and 1.5% after that).
New cardholders get 0% APR for the first 15 payment cycles on purchases and balance transfers. The standard (variable) APR range is 17.49% to 27.49%. Balance transfers must be made within 60 days to qualify for promotional APR; the fee is 3% for the first 60 days, then 5%. There is a 3% foreign transaction fee.
The Student Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card has a sign-up bonus of $200 cash back after you make $1,000 in purchases on the card in the first 90 days after opening the account. There is no annual fee.
Terms apply. Please click here for current rates and fees.
Frequently Asked Questions About Student Credit Cards
What is the best student credit card?
In our opinion, the best credit card for college students is the Discover it® Student Cash Back Card. This is based on fees, rewards and credit building benefits that are often beneficial to students. The best student card for you depends on your spending habits and the recurring benefits you choose. Others on our list of the best credit cards for students include the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students and the Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card.
What is the minimum income for a student credit card?
There is no minimum income requirement to qualify for a student credit card. You may qualify for a student card regardless of income as long as you meet other issuer requirements such as being a student and documenting other sources of income such as financial aid.
Do you have to be a student to get a student credit card?
Most credit card issuers require proof that you are enrolled in college to qualify for student credit cards. However, some issuers accept non-student applications. If you have limited credit history and are not a college student, you may also consider secured credit cards to build credit.
What type of credit card should I get as a college student?
The type of card will depend on your spending habits. The best college student credit cards often have zero or low interest rates and rewards programs or benefits that appeal to credit-building students. It is important that regardless of the type of card, you consider your ability to pay on time and meet other financial obligations in order to increase and maintain your credit.
How We Picked the Best Student Credit Cards
We rank the best student cards first with low or no fees, since student credit cards often carry high fees and APRs. We also consider sign-up bonuses and new student promos as well as rewards and benefits specific to student expenses.
| Low or No Fees | Signup Bonus | Student Awards / Benefits | Other Card Benefits |
| 35% | 25% | 30% | 10% |
- Low or No Fees: $0 annual fees, low APRs, no transaction fees and no hidden charges.
- Signup Bonus: The number of bonuses, including cash back or statement credits, and the ease of getting them.
- Student awards: Cashback or points for use in categories relevant to students (eg, grocery, dining, and streaming). Benefits such as GPA rewards, credit monitoring or streaming subscriptions are included.
- Other Card Benefits: Features such as purchase protection, travel insurance, or tools to help build credit.
Read our full guide here.
Roundup of the Best Student Credit Cards of 2026
To see rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, visit this link. Terms apply.
* Insurance disclosure for American Express cards on this page:
Travel Delay Insurance: Eligibility and benefits vary by card. Terms, Conditions and Restrictions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and benefits vary by card. Terms, Conditions and Restrictions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Card Members are responsible for fees charged by third party service providers.
Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Luggage Insurance Program: Eligibility level and Benefits vary by card. Terms, Conditions and Restrictions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Eligibility and benefits vary by card. Terms, Conditions and Restrictions apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more information. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
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