Student Credit Cards
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.
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Top Picks
Mastercard
Cash Back
Rewards
No Annual Fee
No Foreign Fees
Dining
Student
Credit Score
300
680
Limited - Fair
Intro Offer
Earn $100 Cash Back
when you spend $300 in the first three months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services
Foreign Fee
0%
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
- 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: For a limited-time, earn $100 when you spend $300 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
Rates & fees apply. View the
Rates & Fees.
VISA
Rewards
Travel
Balance Transfer
No Annual Fee
No Foreign Fees
0% Intro APR
Student
Credit Score
680
850
Good - Excellent
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
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday purchases
Foreign Fee
0%
Purchase APR
0%
Balance Transfer
0%
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
- 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.
Rates & fees apply. See issuer's website for full terms.
Mastercard
Cash Back
Rewards
Travel
No Annual Fee
No Foreign Fees
Gas
Dining
Student
Credit Score
300
680
Limited - Fair
Intro Offer
Earn $100 Cash Back
when you spend $300 in the first three months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day
Foreign Fee
0%
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Early Spend Bonus: For a limited-time, earn $100 when you spend $300 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
Rates & fees apply. View the
Rates & Fees.
VISA
Cash Back
Rewards
Balance Transfer
No Annual Fee
0% Intro APR
Gas
Student
Credit Score
680
850
Good - Excellent
Intro Offer
$200
online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice
Foreign Fee
3%
Purchase APR
0%
Balance Transfer
0%
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
- $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.
Rates & fees apply. See issuer's website for full terms.
VISA
Cash Back
Rewards
No Annual Fee
Student
Credit Score
300
850
No Credit - Excellent
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Up to 10%
Foreign Fee
$0
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
29.99% 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
Rates & fees apply. See issuer's website for full terms.
VISA
No Annual Fee
Student
Credit Score
300
680
No Credit - Fair
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
10%
Foreign Fee
$0
Purchase APR
N/A
Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
29.24% - 34.24% 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
Rates & fees apply. See issuer's website for full terms.
VISA
Cash Back
Rewards
Balance Transfer
No Annual Fee
0% Intro APR
Student
Credit Score
680
850
Good - Excellent
Intro Offer
$200
online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
2% cash back on all purchases for the first year from account opening
Foreign Fee
3%
Purchase APR
0%
Balance Transfer
0%
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
- $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.
Rates & fees apply. See issuer's website for full terms.
Frequently asked questions
Can students get a credit card?
Yes. Student credit cards are designed for applicants 18+ with limited or no credit history. Under the CARD Act, applicants under 21 must show independent income or have a co-signer to qualify.
Will a student credit card help build my credit?
Yes — and it's one of the best tools for it. Keeping utilization under 30%, paying the full balance monthly, and holding the card long-term builds a positive payment history and a longer average account age, both major factors in your credit score.
What credit score do I need for a student credit card?
Student cards are designed for applicants with no credit score or limited credit history, so a score isn't typically required. Issuers evaluate income, enrollment, and any existing credit history if available.
What happens to a student card after I graduate?
Most issuers automatically transition the account to a standard consumer card a few years after you open it. The account history transfers, so you keep your credit age and on-time payment record.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any credit card issuer. Rates and fees are subject to change; always verify on the issuer's website.
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