Best Student Credit Cards of 2026
Student credit cards are designed to help you build credit while you're in school — many with no annual fee, cash back on everyday purchases, and tools to track your progress. We've picked the best options to help you establish a strong credit history from day one.
Top Picks
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One®
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Average, Fair, Limited
Rewards Rate
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Intro Offer
Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
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- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it's misplaced, lost or stolen
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Top rated mobile app
Tilt Motion Card
WebBank
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Fair, Limited History, No History, Limited, No Credit
Rewards Rate
N/A
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
28.24% - 33.24% Variable
- 1-10% cash back at select national merchants
- No Credit Score? No problem. Credit history isn’t required for approval
- No annual fee and no security deposit required
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- Credit limit increases in as early as 4 months for qualified borrowers
- Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Tilt card members
- Tilt reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
- Freeze your card in the mobile app at any time for peace of mind
- Zero liability fraud coverage
- Card issued by WebBank
Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students
Bank of America
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
Rewards Rate
1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases
Purchase APR
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfer
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 5%)
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Intro Offer
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
- 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center.
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- Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants, including takeout.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job.
- This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students
Bank of America
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
Rewards Rate
6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice
Purchase APR
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfer
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 5%)
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Intro Offer
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
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- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Select your card design option when you apply – the Customized Cash Rewards design, or the limited-time FIFA World Cup 2026™ design.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job.
- This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One®
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Average, Fair, Limited
Rewards Rate
3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Intro Offer
Earn $50 Cash Back when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
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- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
- Top rated mobile app
Tilt Essentials Card
WebBank
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent, Good, Limited History, No History, Limited, No Credit
Rewards Rate
N/A
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
29.24% Variable
- 1% cash back on all purchases. Unlock 3% on gas and groceries with AutoPay
- No Annual Fee
- 1-10% cash back at select national merchants
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- Credit limit increases in as early as 4 months for qualified borrowers
- Pay with ease with a contactless card or on your phone using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay
- Build credit alongside hundreds of thousands of Tilt card members
- Tilt reports to all 3 major credit bureaus
- Freeze your card in the mobile app at any time for peace of mind
- Zero liability fraud coverage
- No security deposits required
- Card issued by WebBank
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students
Bank of America
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
Rewards Rate
2% cash back on all purchases for the first year from account opening
Purchase APR
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Balance Transfer
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 5%)
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Intro Offer
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 2% cash back on purchases for the first year from account opening, with no limit to the amount of cash back you can earn.
- Thereafter, you’ll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases, with no expiration on rewards as long as your account remains open.
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- No annual fee.
- Select your card design option when you apply – the Unlimited Cash Rewards design, or the limited-time FIFA World Cup 2026™ design.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
- When handled responsibly, a credit card can help you build your credit history, which could be helpful when looking for an apartment, a car loan, and even a job.
- This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.