Quick Summary
Best Overall
Discover it Student Chrome
2% gas/restaurants, cashback match first year
Best for Cash Back
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
3% in your choice of category
Best for Travel
Capital One Savor Student
3% dining/entertainment, no foreign fees
Best Flat Rate
Capital One Quicksilver Student
1.5% on everything, no categories
Why Get a Student Credit Card?
✓Build credit early: Start establishing credit history while in school, giving you a head start on major financial milestones like car loans and mortgages.
✓Easier approval: Student cards are designed for people with limited or no credit history, with more lenient approval requirements.
✓Earn rewards: Get cash back or points on everyday purchases like textbooks, food, gas, and entertainment.
✓Learn financial responsibility: Develop good money management habits in a controlled environment.
Our Top Student Card Picks
Discover it Student Chrome Card
Perfect for students who drive and eat out. The first-year cashback match effectively doubles your rewards.
Gas & Dining
2% back
Annual Fee
$0
Cashback Match
First year
GPA Bonus
$20/year
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards (Student)
Choose your 3% category from gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement.
Choice Category
3% back
Grocery Stores
2% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards (Student)
Straightforward unlimited cash back with first-year boost. Earn 2% back on all purchases for year one, then 1.5% after.
All Purchases (Year 1)
2% back
After Year 1
1.5% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$200
Bank of America Travel Rewards (Student)
Earn unlimited points for travel. Get 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases with a generous 25,000 point bonus.
All Purchases
1.5x points
Welcome Bonus
25,000 pts
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards
Great for students who study abroad or travel. Earn 3% on dining, entertainment, and groceries with no foreign transaction fees.
Dining/Entertainment
3% back
Annual Fee
$0
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Welcome Bonus
$50
Discover it Student Cash Back
Earn 5% on rotating quarterly categories and 1% everywhere else. The cashback match effectively gives you 10% in year one.
Quarterly Bonus
5% back
Annual Fee
$0
Cashback Match
First year
GPA Bonus
$20/year
Chase Freedom Student Card
Gateway to Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn bonus rewards and later upgrade or pair with Sapphire cards for transferable points.
Dining
3x points
Annual Fee
$0
Base Rate
1x
Welcome Bonus
$50
Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students
Simple and straightforward. Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, everywhere, with no categories to track or activate.
Cash Back
1.5%
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Bonus
$50
Foreign Transaction Fee
None
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Card | Best Bonus | Annual Fee | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Student Chrome | 2% gas/dining | $0 | Cashback match |
| BofA Customized Cash Rewards | 3% choice | $0 | $200 bonus |
| BofA Unlimited Cash Rewards | 2% year 1 | $0 | Unlimited |
| BofA Travel Rewards | 1.5x points | $0 | No foreign fees |
| Capital One Savor Student | 3% dining | $0 | No foreign fees |
| Discover it Student Cash Back | 5% rotating | $0 | Cashback match |
| Chase Freedom Student | 3x dining | $0 | Chase ecosystem |
| Capital One Quicksilver Student | 1.5% flat | $0 | No categories |
💡 Credit Tips for Students
1. Pay on time, every time
Payment history is 35% of your credit score. Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment.
2. Keep utilization under 30%
If your limit is $1,000, try to keep your balance below $300. Lower is even better.
3. Don't close your first card
Age of credit accounts matters. Keep your student card open even after graduation.
4. Use it regularly but responsibly
Make small purchases and pay them off immediately to build positive history.
5. Take advantage of student perks
Many cards offer GPA bonuses or upgraded rewards after graduation.
The Bottom Line
For most students, the Discover it Student Chrome is the best choice. The 2% back on gas and restaurants covers typical student spending, and the cashback match effectively doubles your rewards for the first year—giving you 4% back on gas and restaurants.
If you want the flexibility to choose your 3% category, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewardsis excellent. Pick online shopping for textbooks or gas for commuting.
Planning to study abroad? The Capital One SavorOne Student has no foreign transaction fees and earns 3% on dining, entertainment, and groceries—perfect for international students.