Is the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students credit card better than the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?

If you want to build a good credit history, you may choose the Deserve EDU Student Mastercard. On the other hand, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card is a great option for students who want to use a card often and receive cash back.

Can you get the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card if you have the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?

You can apply and be approved for both credit cards. But note that you will not be able to get a Chase credit card if you’ve been approved for five or more credit cards in the past 24 months.

Can you switch from the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card to the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?

Yes you can, since each card is associated with a different bank and issuer.

What’s harder to get, the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card or the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?

Both cards are fairly easy to be approved for as they don’t require perfect credit. However, both cards have similar requirements including verifiable income to pay your bill.

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students vs. Chase Freedom® Student credit card: Which Is Best for You?

Q: How much do you have to spend for the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students and Chase Freedom® Student credit card to get the welcome bonus?

There is no welcome bonus available with the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students. The Chase Freedom® Student credit card gives a $50 welcome bonus after the first purchase made within the first three months of use.

Students considering a credit card that will help them establish credit while earning cash back can compare the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students or Chase Freedom® Student credit card to see if either of these cards are a solid fit. MoneyGeek compares the attributes of these two credit cards to help you decide which one is the best fit for your student expenses.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 11/21/2022

Reviewed By

Brett Holzhauer

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

You can compare the features, fees and rewards of these two student credit cards to see which one is right for you.

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is a solid choice for international students and students with poor credit histories. You won't have to pay an annual fee or put down a security deposit, and you'll get 1% cash back on all of your purchases.

As for the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, every purchase you make earns you 1% cash back with no annual fee. Additionally, you can qualify for a $20 yearly incentive by maintaining an excellent credit rating for a maximum of five years.

OUR COMPARISON AT A GLANCE

Comparison Overview
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students at a Glance
Chase Freedom® Student credit card at a Glance
Comparison Summary
Which Card Should You Get?

Comparison Overview: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students vs. Chase Freedom® Student credit card

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
Has Annual Fee
Has Balance Transfer Offer
Has APR Offer
Cash Back Rewards
Travel Rewards
Hotel Benefits
Airline Benefits
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has Foreign Transaction Fee
Recommended Credit
None–Poor
Limited–Fair

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students At a Glance

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card is designed for students with limited or less than perfect credit history. When you have the card, you will also receive a year of Amazon Prime Student for a year and cell phone protection. Additionally, this card is an excellent choice for international students in the United States since you don't need a Social Security number to apply.

Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
Best student cash back card for limited credit history
- None–PoorRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on Online Shopping
- 1xRewards Rate on Groceries
Pros
Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases
There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee
You will have complimentary Amazon Prime Student for a year
Complimentary cell phone protection when you use your card to pay your cell phone bill
Do not need a Social Security Number (SSN) to apply
Access to Mastercard Platinum benefits

Cons
High APR on purchases
Students earn 1% cash back on all purchases.
There’s no annual fee, nor are there foreign transaction fees.
Cardholders receive Amazon Prime Student for one year.
Cell phone protection (up to $600) is included when you pay your phone bill with your card.
Mastercard Platinum benefits, such as rental car insurance, are included.
Easy-to-use app helps you manage your account and pause access to your card if you misplace it — all on the go.
Disclaimer: Card offers are always changing, and in some cases, the offer listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other student credit cards.

Chase Freedom® Student credit card At a Glance

Students who seek a no annual fee student credit card that will help them establish good credit could find value in the Chase Freedom® Student credit card. The card features a modest rewards program, where you’ll earn 1% back on every transaction. And when you make your first purchase within the first three months of card membership, you will earn a $50 bonus.

Chase Freedom® Student credit card
A solid card with rewards students are sure to appreciate
- Limited–FairRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 1xRewards Rate on Online Shopping
- 1xRewards Rate on Groceries
Pros
No annual fee
One-time $50 bonus for new cardholders after making a purchase within the first three months of account opening
Earn 1% cash back on purchases

Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
Cardholders earn 1% cash back on purchases.
Rewards don’t expire as long as the account is open.
A bonus of $20 per year for the first five years is awarded to customers in good standing on card anniversary.
There’s no annual fee, but travelers should be aware that there is a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Students receive access to their credit score via the online or mobile banking portal.
Disclaimer: We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but card offers are always changing, and in some cases, the offer listed on our site may no longer be available.
Terms, rates and fees apply
Compare this credit card with other top-rated student credit cards.

Comparison Summary

By comparing the differences between Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students vs. Chase Freedom® Student credit card on MoneyGeek, you can determine the best student credit card for your needs.

Card Detail
Comparison Summary
Foreign Transaction Fee
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, which makes it a great choice if you're traveling outside of the United States. The Chase Freedom® Student credit card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Winner: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
Regular APR
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students has a high variable APR of 18.74%, much higher than the rate on several other cards.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card carries an APR of 14.99% on purchases.
Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Rewards
Both of these credit cards will give you a flat 1% cashback on all purchases. Many other cards have better rates and bonus categories that make it easier to get rewards faster.
Winner: Tie
Annual Fee
Both cards have a $0 annual fee.
Winner: Tie
Credit Score
Because both cards are student credit cards, the barrier to entry is quite low. There are no verifiable credit scores needed for either card, but it’s best to have at least a 640 credit score to give yourself a chance of being approved.
Winner: Tie

Which Card Should You Get?

When deciding between the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students and Chase Freedom® Student credit cards, it's important to consider your financial situation.

Who Should Consider the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students?

The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is designed mainly for students with a low credit history and need to establish credit quickly. Typically, those with poor credit histories would be required to put down a security deposit or have a co-signer authorized for a credit card.

Because there are no foreign transaction fees with this card, it’s an excellent choice for anyone traveling overseas.
Pre-qualification for this card is possible without negatively impacting your credit score.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review

Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?

For students who want to use a card often in the U.S. and receive cash back, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card is a great option.

There is no expiration date on your rewards, and there is no minimum redemption amount required to get your cash back.
If you make your first purchase within three months of opening the card, you'll get a $50 bonus.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review

EXPERT OPINION

The Deserve EDU Card is a solid option for people with less than perfect credit history, or do not have a Social Security number. However, if you don’t fall into either category, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card will be the better option as you can earn a quick welcome bonus and have the opportunity to build a history with Chase Bank, which offers other great credit cards.

Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs

Choosing a credit card can often be a difficult decision. MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions about the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card and the Chase Freedom® Student credit cards to help you better understand them.

Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options

Both the Deserve EDU Student Mastercard and the Chase Freedom® Student credit cards are great student credit cards. However, if you're looking for other methods to earn rewards, consider shopping around for another student rewards credit card.

View All Credit Cards

Learn more about credit cards in general

*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more aboutour editorial policies andexpert editorial team.
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