Best Student Credit Cards in 2025

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Card keeps things simple: you get 1.5% cash back on everything you buy, plus a $50 bonus after you spend $100 in your first three months. If you use Uber often, the extra perks can save you money.
The security features are solid, especially being able to lock your card through the app if you lose it. It doesn't have bonus categories and the APR can be high, but there's no annual fee or hidden charges. It's a good pick if you want straightforward cash back without surprises.

Introductory Offers

• Get a $50 bonus when you spend $100 in your first three months.

Rewards

• Earn 1.5% cash back on all your purchases.
• Make up to $500 a year by referring friends and family who get approved for a Capital One card.

APRs, Fees, and Penalties

• No annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden costs.

Perks & Benefits

• You're not liable for fraudulent charges.
• Lock your card instantly through the Capital One app if it goes missing.
• Build your credit history by using the card responsibly.
• Available to students at any college or university.

The Capital One Savor Student Card is great if you spend heavily on dining, groceries and streaming services, with 3% back on them. The $50 welcome bonus is easy to earn, and you can lock your card instantly through the app if you lose it. The APR can be high if you carry a balance, and you won't get bonus cash back at big stores like Walmart or Target. For students who eat out often and use streaming services, it's a solid choice.

Rewards

• Get 3% cash back at grocery stores (but not superstores like Walmart and Target), restaurants, entertainment, and streaming services.
• Earn 1% back on everything else.
• Get 5% back on hotels and rental cars when you book through Capital One Travel.
• Earn 8% back on entertainment purchases through Capital One's portal.

Introductory Offers

• Get $50 when you spend $100 in your first three months.

APRs, Fees and Penalties

• No annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden costs.

Perks & Benefits

• You're not responsible for fraudulent charges.
• Make up to $500 a year by referring friends and family who get approved for a Capital One card.
• Build your credit by using the card responsibly.
• Available to students at any college or university.

If you're improving your credit, the Discover it® Secured offers a no-annual-fee route to an unsecured card with cash back rewards. An initial security deposit is required.

• Rewards   
  • Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.    
  • Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.  
• Perks & Benefits  
  • No credit score is required to apply.    
  • Automatic reviews start at 7 months to assess eligibility for transitioning to an unsecured line of credit.    Discover can help reduce your personal information exposure online by removing it from select people-search sites. Activate this service for free via the mobile app.    
  • Receive alerts if your Social Security number is found on Dark Web sites. Activate this service for free.  
• APRS, Fees, and Penalties  
  • No annual fee.  
• Security Deposit    
  • A refundable security deposit is required, with your credit line equal to your deposit amount, starting at $200. Bank information must be provided when submitting your deposit.

The Petal 2 Visa has zero fees: no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees and no late payment fees. You'll get 1% cash back on everything, then 1.5% after you make 12 on-time payments. Some merchants offer 2% to 10% back, though figuring out which ones takes some digging.
The Petal 2 is good for building credit because it reports to all three credit bureaus, and you can check if you're pre-approved without hurting your credit score. The APR is high, and there's no intro 0% period. If you need a card with no fees and want to build credit, it's worth considering.

• APRs, Fees, and Penalties  
  • This card has no fees for late payments, foreign transactions, or annual charges.  
  • The APR ranges from 29.24% to 31.24% (variable).
• Rewards  
  • Earn between 1% and 1.5% cash back on purchases. After 12 timely monthly payments, your cash back rate increases to 1.5%.  
  • Selected merchants offer between 2% and 10% cash back.
• Perks & Benefits  
  • Check for pre-approval quickly without affecting your credit score.  
  • Provides data to all three main credit bureaus.  
  • Easily pay using your mobile by adding your card to your digital wallet.  
  • The card features swift and secure contactless payment; just tap to pay.

The Petal® 1 card works well as a hassle-free financial companion, especially for those building credit. With no annual or foreign transaction fees, it's wallet-friendly both at home and abroad. The card's highlight is its ability to gauge your eligibility without standard credit scrutiny, making the approval process less intimidating.

The Petal® 1 reports to major credit bureaus, supporting your credit-building efforts. While it has a high APR and rewards are merchant-specific, its features cater to those aiming for financial growth, and the app helps you stay on top of your finances.

• APRs, Fees, and Penalties  
  • Enjoy no annual fee.    
  • APR ranges from 29.24% to 34.24% (variable).  
• Credit Limits   
  • Credit limits range from $300 to $5,000.    
  • Potential for a credit limit boost in just six months.  
• Rewards    
  • Earn between 2% and 10% cash back with certain retailers.   -
• Perks & Benefits  
  • Check for pre-approval quickly without affecting your credit.    
  • No foreign transaction fees.    
  • Use Petal's app to manage funds, monitor expenses, and set up automatic payments.    
  • Reports to all three major credit bureaus.    
  • Enjoy swift, secure payments with the card’s contactless technology.

Ideal for students learning to manage finances, the Discover it® Student Cash Back card offers up to 5% cash back and no annual fee. High rewards in rotating categories are a highlight, but watch the spending cap on these bonuses.

• Introductory Offers
  • Discover matches all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, effectively doubling your rewards.
• Rewards
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases in rotating categories each quarter, up to a quarterly maximum when activated.  
  • Enjoy unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• APRS, Fees, and Penalties  
  • Benefit from a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 6 months, followed by a standard variable APR of 17.74% to 26.74%.  
  • No annual fee.
• Perks & Benefits  
  • Redeem your cash back rewards at any time.  
  • No credit score is required to apply.  
  • Discover helps reduce your personal information exposure online by removing it from select people-search sites, available for free activation via the mobile app.

The Discover it® Student Chrome works well for budget-conscious students. It rewards you generously for weekend outings and gas fill-ups without an annual fee. You also get a solid introductory offer, and there are no credit score requirements.

At the end of your first year, Discover matches all the cash back you've earned. Stay mindful of the spending limits on bonus categories and watch for the potential APR increase after the introductory period. It's a card that understands the student lifestyle.

• Introductory Offers  
  • Discover matches all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year, doubling your rewards with no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
• Rewards  
  • Earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, enjoy unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• APRs, Fees, and Penalties  
  • Benefit from a 0% introductory APR on purchases for the first 6 months. Afterward, a standard variable APR of 17.74% to 26.74% applies.  
  • Enjoy no annual fee, making it easier to manage your finances.
• Perks & Benefits  
  • Apply without needing a credit score, making it accessible for more people.  
  • Discover offers a free service to help remove your personal information from select people-search sites, enhancing your privacy.

The Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card is a savvy traveler's companion. With no pesky annual or foreign transaction fees, it's ideal for globe-trotters and students abroad. One highlight is its generous welcome offer, which translates into notable travel credits. The flexible redemption options mean you aren’t boxed into specific booking sites, granting you freedom when planning trips. While it does favor those with strong credit histories, its rewards system, especially for Preferred Members, amplifies its appeal. And for modern spenders, the blend of security and contactless payment features is the cherry on top.

• Earn 1.5 points for every $1 spent on purchases, and points never expire.
• No annual or foreign transaction fees.
• Earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days — equivalent to a $250 credit for travel.
• Book trips your way without being tied to specific sites or facing blackout restrictions.
• Use points to offset travel or dining costs, including flights, hotels, car rentals, fees and even takeout meals.
• Enjoy a 0% introductory APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made in the initial 60 days. Afterward, the APR ranges from 18.74% - 28.74%. Balance transfers have a 3% fee.
• Preferred Rewards members can boost point accumulation, potentially earning up to 2.62 points per $1 on purchases.
• Experience the blend of chip card security and the ease of contactless payments.

We recommend the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students credit card for students who want higher-than-usual cash back without paying annual fees. You can also earn a $200 cash rewards bonus if you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days.
This card offers 3% cash back on a category of your choice and 2% cash back at wholesale clubs and grocery stores on up to $2,500 in combined purchases every quarter. All other purchases come with 1% cash back. This card lets you monitor your credit by viewing your updated FICO Score for free each month.
An introductory 0% APR applies on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles, then a variable APR of 18.74% to 28.74% applies. Balance transfers come with fees, and using this card outside the U.S. isn't ideal since it charges foreign transaction fees.

• Earn a 3% cash back on a category of your choice, including gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores or home improvement/furnishings
• Earn a 2% cash back on grocery and wholesale purchases
• Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Earn an online cash reward worth $200 on spending $1000 within three months of account opening
• Offers an introductory APR of 0% for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers within 60 days
• Offers a $0 annual fee
• Access your FICO scores through mobile app or online banking

The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students offers no annual fees and a welcome bonus for new cardholders. It provides consistent rewards on every purchase and includes a zero-interest rate offer for purchases and balance transfers. Secure, contactless payment adds convenience. It's designed for students with solid credit histories and doesn't include specialized reward categories.

• No annual fees.
• Get a $200 cash reward after spending $1,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account.
• Enjoy a consistent 1.5% cash back on all your purchases.
• As a Preferred Rewards member, your cash back can increase to 1.87%–2.62% on every purchase.
• There's no cap on your cash back earnings, and they never expire.
• Avail 0% APR for the first 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers done in the first 60 days. After this, expect an APR between 18.74% - 28.74%.
• Balance transfers have a 3% fee.
• Experience the combined security of a chip card and the ease of contactless payment with this card.