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A student credit card can be a convenient financial tool to help you build your credit history and establish good debt management skills.
For those with no credit history, student cards are typically easier to get approved for than traditional credit cards. Sometimes the only requirement for approval is proof of enrollment at a college or university and a stable income. They also may offer a high rate 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 pick the best one for you.
Our Top Picks for the Best Credit Cards for Students of 2026
All rates 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 features no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee and 5% cash back (up to a quarterly cap) on rotating categories.
Additionally, the card offers 1% on all other purchases alongside an 0% introductory APR for the first six months. Thereafter, APRs range from 16.49% to 25.49%. Like the Discover it Cash Back card, the student version also offers an unlimited cash back match as a sign-up bonus for the first 12 consecutive billing cycles or 365 days — whichever is longer.
The card also includes a $0 fraud liability guarantee and introductory 10.99% APR for six months for balance transfers. All information about the Discover it Student Cash Back Card has been collected independently by Money.com.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
Why we chose it: Bank of America’s Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students offers the best student card sign-up bonus, with both a $200 cash bonus as well as 6% cash back in a chosen category for the first year.
This card has a promotional 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. Regular APRs are 17.49% to 27.49% (variable). Balance transfers must be made within 60 days to be eligible for 0% APR; the fee is 3%. After 60 days, it rises to 5%. There is also a 3% foreign transaction fee.
New cardholders can earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days. In the first year, cardholders earn 6% cash back (3% regular rate plus a 3% first-year bonus) in a category of their choice on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% everywhere else. The card has no annual fee.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable 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.
The Freedom Rise has a variable APR of 25.24% and lets cardholders earn 1.5% cash back rewards. New cardholders can earn 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, as well as a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
The bank says Chase customers who have accounts with balances of at least $250 have an increased chance of approval, making this a good alternative to a secured credit card for people just starting to build credit. Every year, cardholders are eligible to be evaluated for an upgrade to a Chase Freedom Unlimited card.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
Why we chose it: Capital One’s Savor Rewards for Students is the best card for students studying abroad, since it charges no foreign transaction fees.
The variable APR range is from 18.49% to 28.49%. Cardholders earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding big-box stores like Walmart and Target), dining, 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 for $100 in purchases in the first three months. The card has no annual fee.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
Why we chose it: Bank of America’s Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is the best student cash back card because it offers unlimited 2% cash back for the first year (and 1.5% thereafter).
New cardholders get 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers. The regular (variable) APR range is 17.49% to 27.49%. Balance transfers must be made within 60 days to be eligible for the promotional APR; the fee is 3% for the first 60 days, then 5%. There is a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
The Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students has a sign-up bonus of $200 cash back after putting $1,000 in purchases on the card within the first 90 days after opening the account. There is no annual fee.
Terms apply. Please click here for applicable rates and fees.
Student Credit Cards FAQs
What is the best student credit card?
According to our methodology, the best credit card for college students is the Discover it® Student Cash Back Card. This is based on the fees, rewards and credit building benefits that are often helpful for students. The best student card for you depends on your spending habits and the ongoing benefits you prefer. Others on our best student credit cards list include the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students and Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card.
What is the minimum income for a student credit card?
There is no minimum income required to qualify for a student credit card. You may qualify for a student card without an income as long as you meet other issuer requirements such as being a student and listing other sources of income like financial aid.
Do you have to be a student to get a student credit card?
Many credit card issuers require proof that you’re enrolled in college to qualify for student credit cards. However, some issuers accept non-student applicants. If you have limited credit history and are not a college student, you can also consider secured credit cards for building credit.
What kind of credit card should I get as a college student?
The kind of card will depend on your spending habits. The best college student credit cards typically have zero or low fees and rewards programs or benefits that appeal to students building credit. It’s important that no matter the type of card, you consider your ability to make timely payments and meet other financial obligations to grow and maintain your credit.
How We Chose the Best Student Credit Cards
We rate the best student cards first on low or no fees, as student credit cards often carry high fees and APRs. We also consider sign-up bonuses and new promos for students as well as rewards and perks specific for student spending.
| Low or No Fees | Sign-Up Bonus | Student Rewards/ Perks | Other Card Benefits |
| 35% | 25% | 30% | 10% |
- Low or No Fees: $0 annual fees, minimal APRs, no foreign transaction fees and no hidden charges.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Value of bonuses, including cash back or statement credits, and ease of achieving them.
- Student Rewards: Cash back or points for spending in categories relevant to students (e.g., groceries, dining, and streaming). Benefits like GPA rewards, credit monitoring, or streaming subscriptions are included.
- Other Card Benefits: Features like purchase protection, travel insurance, or tools to help build credit.
Read our full methodology here.
Summary of Money’s 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 disclosures for American Express Cards on this page:
Trip Delay Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
Global Assist Hotline: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Baggage Insurance Plan: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance: Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. 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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