6 Best Credit Cards For College Students
6 Best Credit Cards for College Students

Your college years present a unique opportunity to lay the foundation for a solid financial future. One tool that can help you develop good financial habits is a student credit card. By choosing the right student credit card and using it responsibly, you can start building a positive credit history, gain valuable financial skills, and enjoy various perks and rewards. Let’s explore some of the best student credit cards available so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and goals.

6 Best Credit Cards for College Students

Discover it® Student Cash Back

The Discover it® Student Cash Back credit card can be an excellent choice for students looking to build credit while earning rewards. This card offers 5% cash back on rotating categories that change every quarter, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations. Plus, it comes with an incredible perk: Discover will match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year as a cardholder, doubling your rewards.

Key features:
  • No annual fee.
  • No credit score is required to apply.
  • 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Cashback Match: At the end of your first year, Discover automatically matches all the cash back you've earned.
Tip: Keep an eye on the quarterly rotating categories and remember to activate them. And take advantage of the rotating categories by planning your purchases accordingly.

Learn more about Discover it® Student Cash Back.


6 Best Credit Cards for College Students

Discover it® Student Chrome

The Discover it® Student Chrome credit card is another great option by Discover, but aimed at students who spend a lot of time behind the wheel or frequently eat at restaurants, as it allows them to earn bonus cash back on gas and restaurant purchases. This card also offers a cash back match at the end of your first year.

Key features:
  • No annual fee.
  • No credit score is required to apply.
  • 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (including cafes and fast food places) on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.
  • 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases, including books and groceries.
  • Cashback Match: At the end of your first year, Discover automatically matches all the cash back you've earned.
Tip: Take advantage of the 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants by using your card for these everyday expenses. And don’t forget to activate and maximize the cash back match.

Learn more about Discover it® Student Chrome.


6 Best Credit Cards for College Students

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students credit card can be a fantastic choice for students who love to travel or plan to study abroad. This card offers a simple and rewarding travel experience by granting no transaction fees on purchases made out of the country and allowing you to earn points on all purchases that can be redeemed for travel expenses.

Key features:
  • No annual fee.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all purchases.
  • Welcome bonus: 25,000 bonus points after making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Tip: By using this card for everyday expenses you can accumulate points quickly and redeem them for flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. It's a great way to make your travels or studying abroad more affordable.

Learn more about Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students.


6 Best Credit Cards for College Students

Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students

The Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students credit card can be the right choice for students with an active lifestyle. This card features generous cash back rewards on some popular student spending categories, from purchasing tickets for movies, concerts, and sporting events, to subscriptions for streaming services.

Key features:
  • No annual fee.
  • Welcome bonus: $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
  • Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services (Including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+) and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), plus 1% on all other purchases.
  • Extra Rewards: 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
Tip: Plan your outings and events accordingly to maximize the 3% cash back on dining and entertainment. Look for restaurants, concerts, movies, and other entertainment options that fall within the cash back category.

Learn more about Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students.


6 Best Credit Cards for College Students

Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card can be an ideal option for students looking for simplicity and convenience. This card is designed to provide straightforward cash back rewards to students. It offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, and there are no transaction fees for purchases outside the United States.

Key features:
  • No annual fee.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day.
  • 10% cash back on purchases on Uber and Uber Eats.
  • Welcome bonus: $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Tip: Given the unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, consider making it your primary credit card for everyday spending without having to worry about rotating categories.

Learn more about Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students.


6 Best Credit Cards for College Students

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students can be a great choice for students who want to earn cash back while enjoying flexibility. This card offers 3% cash back in a category of your choice, including gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drugstores, or home improvement/furnishings. You can change your choice category each month.

Key features:
  • No annual fee.
  • 3% cash back in the category of your choice, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Online $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
  • BankAmeriDeals: Earn extra cash back by taking advantage of personalized deals.
Tip: Choose your preferred category wisely, based on your spending habits or needs, and keep an eye on BankAmeriDeals for additional savings opportunities.

Learn more about Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students.


6 Best Credit Cards for College StudentsEach of these student credit cards offers some unique features and benefits, so carefully consider which would be most beneficial for you before making a decision. No matter which one you choose, remember to use your credit card responsibly by paying off your balance in full each month, keeping track of your expenses, and staying within your budget.

Please note that all product details provided about the mentioned student credit cards were as of 6/16/2023 and may change at any time.



6 Best Credit Cards for College StudentsFinancial stability is crucial during your college years. If you want to avoid financial setbacks while at college, don't overlook the importance of protecting your valuable belongings from unexpected events like accidental damage, theft, fire, flood, and other incidents that could seriously cost you.

A comprehensive policy from NSSI can provide coverage for your belongings when disasters strike, giving you financial protection and peace of mind.

Get a free NSSI college student property insurance quote today!