Discover it® Student Cash Back
vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

Both the Discover it Secured Credit Card and the Discover it Student Cash Back card cater to those starting their credit journey, offering cash back rewards without an annual fee. If you're looking for higher rewards potential, the Discover it Student Cash Back card is the better pick, thanks to its 5% cash back in rotating categories. However, for those needing to establish credit from scratch, the Discover it Secured Credit Card's acceptance of limited or bad credit and the opportunity for an automatic credit review after seven months make it a strong contender. While neither card is co-branded, they both serve as a solid foundation for building credit and earning rewards.

You might prefer the Discover it Secured if you're looking to build or rebuild your credit and would benefit from earning cash back on gas and dining purchases. With no annual fee and an automatic review after seven months for a possible transition to an unsecured card, it's a solid choice for establishing creditworthiness.

You might prefer the Discover it Student Cash Back if you're a student new to credit who wants to maximize rewards. Offering 5% cash back in rotating categories and an introductory 0% APR on purchases for six months, this card is great for earning rewards while also getting a head start on building a good credit history.

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, and other features side by side clarifies which card aligns with your financial needs. For example, if a security deposit is a concern, the Student Cash Back card requires none, whereas the Secured card does. Assess rewards structures to see if the Student Cash Back's rotating categories or the Secured card's gas and dining cash back better suit your spending.

When it comes to rewards, the Discover it Student Cash Back card stands out with its 5% cash back on everyday purchases in various rotating categories, up to the quarterly maximum upon activation. This can be particularly lucrative for those who align their spending with these categories. On the other hand, the Discover it Secured card offers a solid 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, and 1% on all other purchases. While it doesn't reach the 5% potential of the Student Cash Back card, it's a reliable option for those with specific spending patterns in these areas.

The Discover it Student Cash Back card requires users to activate the bonus categories each quarter to earn the 5% cash back. These categories can include grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more. For detailed information on the current and upcoming bonus categories, cardholders should refer to Discover's quarterly calendar.

Following is a table of bonus categories to help you visually compare the rewards programs of both cards at a glance.

Moving from how rewards are earned to how they can be redeemed, both the Discover it Secured and Discover it Student Cash Back offer flexibility and convenience. With the Discover it Secured, you can redeem cash back at any time, and your rewards do not expire, ensuring you can use them when it suits you best. Similarly, the Discover it Student Cash Back allows for redemption in various forms, from statement credits to gift cards, with no expiration date and no minimum amount required for redemption. This means you have the freedom to use your rewards as you accumulate them, without the pressure of meeting redemption thresholds.

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards using a tailored scoring system for various use cases, such as cash back and balance transfers. For the Discover it Student Cash Back and Discover it Secured, the highest scoring use case is cash back. The primary factors influencing their cash back scores are the effective reward rate, which accounts for the bulk of the score, and the return on investment for offers. Other considerations include annual fees, introductory purchase rates, and issuer satisfaction, among others. For a detailed understanding of our scoring process, you can review our ranking methodology. This approach ensures that the Discover it Student and Discover it Secured are assessed fairly and accurately, helping you make an informed decision.