Getting a student credit card when you don’t have any credit is a smart first step to establishing a credit history. As a student, you might be wondering whether you should even bother with getting a credit card this early in life, and the answer will typically be a resounding “yes!” Your credit score can open up doors for you as an adult to rent an apartment, lease or buy a car and get a mortgage. You’ll want good-to-excellent credit for those things, and a student card can be a great way to get there.
Most student cards don’t carry annual fees, making it easy to justify getting one. The best student credit cards have a welcome bonus or reward you generously for everyday purchases. Earning at least 1% cash back on all spending and elevated rates of 2% to 5% in select categories is plenty, especially since your main goal with a student card is not to accrue a lot of rewards, but rather to establish credit history and build a great credit score.
Generally, after graduation, you’ll keep your credit card and it will continue to operate the same way—though if you received any student-focused perks, such as rewards for good grades, you won’t get those any longer. If you land a job with a higher salary after finishing school, make sure to update your income with the issuer, as that may qualify you for a credit limit increase.
If your student card offers less desirable terms than other cards from the same issuer, such as subpar rewards, you may wish to request a product change. With a product change, you keep the same account and account history and typically avoid a hard inquiry on your credit report.
We analyzed a broad swath of credit cards in this category, from a variety of issuers, to curate a list of the very best. However, make sure to compare our picks to other cards designed for students with limited to no credit history, as what’s best for someone else may not be right or you. Here are our selections.
Best credit cards for students with no credit of 2023
Comparing the best credit cards for students with no credit
Guide to credit cards for students with no credit
Best overall: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
Card highlights
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students checks many boxes when it comes to student credit cards. It offers a valuable welcome bonus and earns a strong 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases. It also waives foreign transaction fees, so you can pack it for that bucket list trip abroad and not worry about being penalized for using it.
This card is also a great option if you need to finance a big-ticket item—for instance, maybe a new laptop before classes start—thanks to the lengthy 0% intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles, after which an APR of 17.49% – 27.49% variable applies.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.
Welcome bonus: 25,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Cardholders get free access to their FICO Score and enjoy no foreign transaction fees when using this card abroad. However, be aware when redeeming rewards that the most lucrative option is for statement credits to offset travel and dining purchases, which will net you one cent per point. Redeemed for cash back, each point is worth just 0.6 cents each.
Best for quarterly bonuses: Discover it® Student Cash Back
Card highlights
For students willing to put in the work of activating a new category each quarter, the Discover it® Student Cash Back has the potential to be very rewarding. You’ll earn 5% back on up to $1,500 spent in the quarterly categories such as grocery stores, gas and Amazon.com shopping, and 1% back on other purchases. Plus, Discover matches cash back earned in the first year.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories, on up to $1,500 spent each quarter, when you activate. 1% on other purchases.
Welcome bonus: None.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Track your credit-building progress with free access to your FICO Score. Sign up for alerts in case your SSN is found on the dark web. Freeze your card online or in Discover’s mobile app in the event that you misplace it.
Best for flat-rate earning: Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card highlights
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Credit Card has a low but attainable welcome bonus of $50 cash after you spend $100 within three months of account opening. Most students will find this spending requirement feasible and the $50 cash a nice little bit of pocket money. Plus, you earn cash back on everyday purchases at a solid rate of 1.5% back per dollar spent.
And, there are no foreign transaction fees, making this a fine choice for a study abroad trip.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Welcome bonus: $50 cash bonus after spending $100 within three months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Not only do you save $9.99 per month in Uber One membership fees but you’ll also get 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases through 11/14/2024. This benefit can go a long way during nights out or those times when you need pizza to sustain a late night study session.
Best for building credit quickly: Capital One Journey Student Rewards Credit Card
Card highlights
The Capital One Journey Student Rewards Card can help responsible students build credit quickly. Part of your credit score is determined by your utilization—how much of your credit limit you’re using. For example, a $150 balance on a card with a $500 limit is 30% utilization.
The lower your utilization, the better for your score. Thus, the fact that the Journey offers an automatic credit line review in as little as six months presents an opportunity. With a higher credit limit, if your spending stays the same, your utilization decreases.
Plus, with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees, this can be your go-to credit card domestically or when traveling abroad.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 1% cash back on all purchases (bumped to 1.25% each month you pay your bill on time), 5% cash back on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Welcome bonus: None.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Cardholders might enjoy an automatic credit line review in as little as six months of card use. Purchases earn flat-rate cash back so you don’t have to track bonus categories. Access your VantageScore through CreditWise. However, two drawbacks are that this card has no welcome bonus and comes with a very high APR.
Best for category bonuses: Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students
Card highlights
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students offers generous rewards on common spending categories and a solid welcome bonus. New cardmembers earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening. While $1,000 in spending is easy for most households, college students on a budget might have a hard time reaching this goal. Thus, a great time to apply for this card would be the beginning of a semester, when you’re getting textbooks, buying parking passes and stocking up on essentials.
The card does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, which is not ideal if traveling abroad.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 3% cash back in the category of your choice (gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings), 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, 1% cash back on all other purchases. You’ll earn 3% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then 1%.
Welcome bonus: $200 cash rewards after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
Other benefits and drawbacks: A big plus is that this card comes with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18 billing cycles. After, an APR of 17.49% – 27.49% variable applies. One downside to the card is that elevated rewards are capped at $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter.
Best for a 0% intro APR: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students
Card highlights
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students is a great card if you want a straightforward cash-back program and a lengthy period of no interest. New cardholders get a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles. After, an APR of 17.49% – 27.49% variable applies. There’s a 3% balance transfer fee ($10 minimum).
The card also earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases and provides a $200 cash bonus after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of account opening. This can be a very rewarding credit card if you’re a college student looking for simple rewards and a solid intro APR offer.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Welcome bonus: $200 after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Access your FICO Score for free when you opt in.
Best for dining and gas: Discover it® Student chrome
Card highlights
The Discover it® Student chrome may not offer a traditional welcome bonus but still offers an excellent value proposition during the first year—all cash back you earn will be matched, effectively giving you 2% rewards rates your first year with the card.
The regular earning rates are 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations (up to $1,000 spent in combined purchases each quarter) and 1% everywhere else.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter), 1% on all other purchases.
Welcome bonus: None.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Monitor your FICO Score for free, giving you a way to track your progress building credit. Freeze your card online or in the Discover mobile app if your card is ever misplaced. Sign up to get alerts in the event your SSN is found out on the dark web.
Best for travel: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Card highlights
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for aspiring travelers, providing generous earnings on travel booked through Capital One, and for foodies too — thanks to strong rewards rates on dining out and grocery shopping.
Cardholders also won’t pay foreign transaction fees abroad, which usually adds another 3% to your tab, making this a fine choice if you plan to study abroad and experience different cultures and cuisines.
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming and at grocery stores (excluding Target and Walmart), 1% on all other purchases; 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
Welcome bonus: $50 cash bonus after spending $100 within three months of account opening.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: Extended warranty, travel accident insurance, complimentary concierge service, free access to your VantageScore with CreditWise.
Honorable mention: Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card
Card highlights
The Secured Chime Credit Builder Visa® Credit Card isn’t targeted exclusively towards students, but is still a great option for them. That’s because the Chime Credit Builder Visa Secured Card doesn’t require a credit check, doesn’t charge an annual fee and is geared specifically toward helping credit newbies work toward a good credit score.
Plus, if you’re worried about the risk of accruing credit card debt, you may like that the Chime Card involves funding your account from a Chime® Checking account rather than borrowing against a traditional credit limit.¹
Annual fee: $0.
Rewards: None.
Welcome bonus: None.
Foreign transaction fees: None.
Other benefits and drawbacks: This card is a fine choice for establishing or rebuilding credit. However, if you’re looking for long-term value, the lack of rewards makes this card less attractive. Plus, since you have to fund the card rather than borrowing against a credit limit, it might be limiting in the event that you need to make a large purchase.
Should you get a student credit card with no credit?
“If you’re new to credit, you want to be sure you understand what a credit score is and what the common credit score factors are. This knowledge can help you make the best financial and credit decisions as you pursue any credit goals you have.
As you consider how to build credit, it may seem overwhelming. There are so many credit cards out there. Before you choose a new credit card, you want to consider the impact it will have on your credit health and whether that card fits your financial needs and goals. Making well-informed decisions will help keep you on the right track.
Additionally, consistently monitoring your credit reports becomes an integral part of building and managing your credit health, so you can better track your goals and help you combat potential fraud,” says Margaret Poe, head of consumer credit education at TransUnion.
As a student, you probably have limited credit history, if any at all. You won’t qualify for most of the best credit cards on the market, which may not be a priority now, but can be more important after college.
Plus, you’ll likely need to rent an apartment, and many landlords will run a credit check to determine whether you’ll be a reliable tenant. If you want to take out a car loan, or eventually a mortgage, having good-to-excellent credit can ensure you get the best rates available.
While having a parent cosign for you may be a viable workaround, having established credit of your own will become more essential as you go through life.
Getting a student credit card and using it responsibly is a great way to begin that journey. Most student credit cards are unsecured, meaning you don’t have to provide the issuer a security deposit. That makes them ideal for college students who want to build their credit history without having to tie $200 to $500 up for a minimum deposit on a secured card.
Student cards may often be issued with small credit limits, making it harder to accrue debt, which is a good thing. However, that doesn’t mean they’re completely without risk. Before getting a student credit card, it’s worthwhile to take a financial literacy course and learn about how to manage money responsibly. Familiarize yourself with how credit card interest works and what penalties you’ll incur if you pay late or miss a payment.
By being well informed ahead of time, you can avoid the pitfalls and enjoy the benefits of having a student credit card. One tip you should know right away: You don’t need to carry a balance on your card to build credit history. In fact, it’s better if you don’t carry a balance and rather pay the account off in full every month, because that typically lets you avoid interest charges.
What is a student credit card?
A student credit card is usually an unsecured card (meaning it doesn’t require a security deposit) targeted at college students. Student credit cards typically are more accepting of applicants with no credit history or thin credit files, and may have lower income requirements, than cards aimed at non-students. This makes it easier for students to qualify and establish credit.
In other respects, a student card will function like any other credit card. You’ll make charges on it and must repay what you borrow. If you make only the minimum monthly payment and roll over a balance, you’ll incur interest charges, unless you’re in a 0% intro APR period.
Note you must be at least 18 years old and have an income to qualify for a student credit card, as with any credit card. Possible sources for income may include part-time jobs, work study or an allowance regularly provided by the student’s parents.
Why you or your college student should get a student credit card
Student credit cards are a great way for college students to build credit. They typically carry no annual fees and most don’t require a deposit, so it doesn’t cost anything to get started. They’re also easier to qualify for, since their credit score requirements are lower than non-student credit cards.
But one caveat is that most student credit cards have high interest rates, which could be challenging for students who aren’t used to managing their own finances. These high interest rates could lead to debt if you end up overspending and carrying a balance.
When to get a student credit card
The minimum age of 18 is the lowest legal age limit to get a credit card. The benefit of getting a credit card at 18 is that you’ll get an early start in building your own credit history, and length of credit history is one of the factors influencing your credit score
You’ll also probably receive a card with a low spending limit, limiting the opportunity to get into serious debt, which can be a useful safeguard as you learn to navigate the world of credit responsibly.
Alternatively, you can build credit by being an authorized user on a parent or guardian’s credit card. Some cards may even allow the main cardholder to set limits on how much the authorized user can spend. Once you feel able to manage a credit card without going into debt, then you can apply for your own.
Before asking to be added to someone’s account as an authorized user, however, make sure they keep balances low and always pay on time. If you’re added to a card that’s maxed out, for example, that could hurt your credit score when you’ve barely started to build credit.
How to get a student credit card
You can apply for a student credit card if you’re 18 years old or older. You should be able to apply online—you’ll typically need to provide personal and financial information such as name, Social Security number, address and income.
The issuer may ask for proof of income or proof of college enrollment.
In many cases, you’ll get an approval or denial within minutes of submitting the online form.
Some issuers allow you to check if you’re preapproved for any of their credit cards. For example, Capital One offers an online preapproval check for the SavorOne Student, QuicksilverStudent and Journey Student credit cards. Preapproval doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive final approval when you actually apply, but does indicate you have a good chance.
What to look for when comparing student credit cards
When evaluating student credit cards, first make sure the cards you’re considering report to the three major consumer credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and don’t charge an annual fee. Next, evaluate them based on rewards programs, welcome bonuses and foreign transaction fees.
Every person will weigh these factors differently. If you plan to travel abroad, you want a card without a foreign transaction fee so you don’t suffer an additional 3% tacked on to every purchase. But if you have no plans to leave the country, a card with a foreign transaction fee might be fine for you if it offers rewards in categories you find useful, such as gas or online shopping.
Ideally, getting a card from a major issuer — for example, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase or Discover—is good because you’re establishing a relationship. Down the line, that might help if you choose to apply for one of the issuer’s more upscale credit card offerings.
Alternatives to a student credit card
If you can’t qualify for a student credit card or don’t want one, there are several alternatives worth looking into. You can use a debit or prepaid card to manage your money and pay for expenses. You won’t build your credit history this way, but you also won’t be able to spend more than you have in your account. This is a good option if you’re worried about the debt trap so many people fall into with credit cards.
Another great alternative to a student credit card is to become an authorized user on a parent’s credit card. This option lets you establish your credit history and allows your parents to control your spending while helping you manage credit responsibly. Once you feel comfortable, you can get your own credit card and continue building credit.
If you go the authorized user route, make sure the primary cardholder keeps a low balance and always pays on time. This might be an awkward conversation to have, but you don’t want to risk someone else’s bad financial habits getting tacked on to your credit reports.
Be wary of student credit card debt
While student credit cards come with many upsides, there are a few things to be wary of.
When used without caution, credit cards can enable overspending and expensive debt. That’s particularly true when dealing with cards with high APRs, such as 20% or higher. And, remember that you’re considering a student credit card in the first place to establish good credit history. If you get stuck in a cycle of growing debt, you could end up hurting your credit due to high balances and potentially late or missed payments.
It’s important to understand the various fees and APRs involved with a credit card and only get a student credit card if you’re certain you can manage it responsibly.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Our methodology was based on factors including potential to qualify as a student, if there was a pre-approval check, rewards, welcome bonuses, 0% intro APRs and foreign transaction fees.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
¹To apply for Credit Builder, you must have received a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Checking Account. The qualifying direct deposit must be from your employer, payroll provider, gig economy payer, or benefits payer by Automated Clearing House (ACH) deposit OR Original Credit Transaction (OCT). Bank ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, verification or trial deposits from financial institutions, peer to peer transfers from services such as PayPal, Cash App, or Venmo, mobile check deposits, cash loads or deposits, one-time direct deposits, such as tax refunds and other similar transactions, and any deposit to which Chime deems to not be a qualifying direct deposit are not qualifying direct deposits.
On-time payment history can have a positive impact on your credit score. Late payment may negatively impact your credit score. Chime will report your activities to Transunion®, Experian®, and Equifax®. Impact on your credit may vary, as Credit scores are independently determined by credit bureaus based on a number of factors including the financial decisions you make with other financial services organizations.
Money added to Credit Builder will be held in a secured account as collateral for your Credit Builder Visa card, which means you can spend up to this amount on your card. This is money you can use to pay off your charges at the end of every month.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A college student should have a credit card if they’re able to manage it without accruing debt. Credit cards are one of the best tools for building credit history and showing financial institutions that you’re a responsible borrower.
However, if you’ve had trouble managing your money in the past, then a student credit card of your own might not be a good idea. You could ask a trusted adult to add you as an authorized user on one of their cards — you don’t even need to physically have the card to build credit as long as you’re on the account.
Another option if you’ve struggled with managing your finances is the Chime Credit Builder Visa Secured Card. It reports to the credit bureaus, so you build credit history by using the card, but you fund the card with your Chime checking account rather than borrowing against a credit line like a traditional credit card involves.
To get a credit card, you must be at least 18 years of age and have an income. Without an income, you cannot open a credit card of your own. You could ask a parent to add you to one of their cards as an authorized user.
However, even if you don’t have a full-time job, you may have income that qualifies for credit card application purposes. For example, if your parents provide money each month to help with groceries and other expenses while you’re in college, you may be able to cite that allowance as income for the purposes of a student card.
International students may be able to apply for a student credit card, depending on the issuing bank’s requirements and whether the student has a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Most banks will require one of these.
One credit card is enough for a student to use to establish credit and build a good credit score. Plus, having only one card to manage reduces the chances of allowing debt to pile up or missing a payment date because you’re juggling multiple accounts.
Down the road, you may decide it’s worth having two or more credit cards to maximize rewards in various spending categories, or for benefits such as travel protections or airport lounge access. But when starting out, stick with one credit card.
Generally, you’ll be able to keep your credit card and continue using it.
It’s worth updating your income as soon as you begin your full-time career after graduation. Many student cards will come with low credit limits, and with a higher income, it’s likely you can qualify for a credit limit increase. A higher limit doesn’t mean you should spend more on the card, but can help your credit score by reducing your utilization — the percentage of your credit limit that you’re using.
Some student credit cards earn rewards at the same rates as non-student counterparts from the same issuer. In that case, there’s no reason not to keep using your card after graduation. But if your student card offers less attractive terms than non-student options, you may wish to call your issuer and request an upgrade (also called a “product change”) to a better card.
