Best Student Credit Cards of January 2024

Our experts answer readers’ credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess credit cards). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

If you’re a student without established credit, there are still plenty of credit cards you can qualify for. Then, once you’ve improved your credit score by using a credit card responsibly, it can be easier to upgrade to one of the best credit cards that earn lucrative rewards.

Compare the Best Student Credit Cards

Student Credit Cards Frequently Asked Questions

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Student Credit Cards

We looked at several factors when evaluating the top student credit cards that are currently available to new applicants:

• Simplicity — Does the card make it easy to redeem rewards, if any, and have a straightforward program? Are there lots of complicated terms and conditions?
• Earning potential — Does the card earn rewards, and do the bonus categories line up with typical student spending habits?
• Welcome bonus — Student cards that offer a sign-up bonus or other incentives are appealing, especially for those on a tight budget who could use a rewards boost.
• Options for different types of students — We included cards that appeal to all kinds of users, from products with a 0% APR offer to travel points and cash-back credit cards.

Learn more about how we rate credit cards at Insider.

Best Student Credit Card Reviews

Here are the top student credit cards to consider — but if you’ve already got a good credit score and a credit history under your belt, you may want to check out our guides to the best cash-back credit cards and best no-annual-fee credit cards as well.

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great pick for students who spend a lot on dining, groceries, entertainment, and eligible streaming services. You’ll earn 3% cash back in these categories with no limits, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. 

You can earn a $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within three months of account opening. That’s a low minimum spending requirement that most students can easily reach.

The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card also offers very good benefits for a student card, including:

• Price protection***
• Extended warranty***
• Car rental coverage***
• Roadside dispatch***
• Travel accident insurance***
• Complimentary concierge services

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Student Credit Card Details 

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

If you’re a student with no time to keep track of bonus categories and prefer straightforward cash back on all your purchases, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good choice. The welcome offer is $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within three months of account opening.

With this card, you can earn a lot of cash back quickly — all eligible purchases earn 1.5% back, with no caps. It also comes with benefits you don’t often find on student credit cards, including:

• Price protection***
• Extended warranty***
• Car rental coverage***
• Roadside dispatch***
• Travel accident insurance***
• Complimentary concierge services

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card Details

Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students

For those who prefer the simplicity of not having to keep track of bonus categories, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is a strong choice. Along with a welcome bonus offer of $200 cash rewards bonus after making $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening, this card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no caps.

New cardholders can also take advantage of an excellent 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account, followed by a 16.99% – 26.99% Variable APR. Whether you need to pay off your school supplies over time or are looking to splurge on a spring break trip, having a period of 0% interest can save you money. If you want to transfer a balance and have the opportunity to pay it down before interest kicks in, check out our picks for the best balance transfer credit cards for more options.

There’s no annual fee, but be aware the card adds foreign transaction fees, so it’s not a good choice for traveling outside the U.S..

Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards Card for Students Details

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

Students who love to travel — especially overseas — should have a look at the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. Just like the non-student version (Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card) it comes with a welcome bonus of 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening (redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases). Each point is worth 1 cent when you redeem for statement credits toward travel purchases, including airfare, hotels, rental cars, campgrounds, and even certain tourist attractions.

This is a good card if you don’t want to mess with complicated award charts or blackout dates, and its earning structure is simple — 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, with no categories to keep track of. You’ll also get a 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account (then a 17.99% – 27.99% Variable APR) and no foreign transaction fees when you use the card on your adventures abroad.

BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students

With one of the longest zero-interest credit card offers around (even among non-student credit cards), the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students could be exactly what you need if you’re carrying high interest credit card debt or have large purchases coming up — like school expenses — you can’t pay off all at once.

New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening (then a 15.74% – 25.74% Variable APR). However, because the BankAmericard® for Students doesn’t come with a welcome bonus or earn rewards for spending, it’s not a good choice unless you’re specifically looking for an ultra-long intro APR.

Bank Americard for Students Details

Discover it® Student Cash Back

The Discover it® Student Cash Back can put a lot of cash in your pocket — if you’re willing to do a little work for it. When you activate the bonus, you’ll earn 5% cash back in categories that rotate each quarter on up to $1,500 in combined spending (then 1%), and 1% back on everything else. Discover’s 5% cash-back categories often include popular merchants or types of purchases, like grocery stores, restaurants, and Amazon (from January 1 to March 31, 2024, you can earn 5% cash back at restaurants and drug stores on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).

While the card doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You’ll also receive a $50 statement credit if you refer a friend and they’re approved. 

With the Discover it® Student Cash Back, you’ll get a 0% intro APR for six months on purchases (then a 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR), and if you accidentally slip up and make a late payment, there’s no fee the first time it happens (afterward, it’s up to $41).

Discover it Student Cash Back Card Details

Discover it® Student Chrome

The Discover it® Student Chrome is almost identical to the Discover it® Student Cash Back, with one key difference. Instead of offering 5% rotating quarterly cash-back categories, you’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%). All other purchases earn a flat 1% cash back.

The spending cap on the 2% categories is quite low ($1,000 per quarter, or about $333 a month), but if you’re able to maximize this bonus, it’s worth an extra $20 per quarter. Students who don’t spend a lot in these categories or who want better rewards across the board will likely do better with a different card.

If you’re having a tough time deciding between Discover’s student cards, check out our comparison of the Discover it Student Cash Back and Chrome for more details about the cards’ differences.

Discover it Student Chrome Card Details

Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card

While not technically a student credit card, the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card (card issued by WebBank) is a good option for young adults with very limited or no credit history. The issuer doesn’t just rely on traditional credit scores for approval — it will also look at other factors, like banking history, income, and savings. What’s more, once you have the card, it’s reported to all three major credit bureaus, which can give your credit score a boost over the long term.

This is another card that gives cardholders an incentive to pay on time. Starting out, you’ll earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases, but after making six on-time payments, you’ll earn 1.25% back. After 12 months of paying on time, you’ll get a bump up to 1.5% back. You’ll also have the opportunity to earn bonus cash back (up to 10%) at select merchants.

Another bonus: The Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card doesn’t charge any fees, including for foreign transactions or late payments. However, the card doesn’t offer balance transfers or cash advances like most others do.

Petal 2 Visa Credit Card Details