Student Credit Cards
Student credit cards can help you establish credit while you are in school. Many charge no annual fee, earn cash back on everyday purchases, and include tools for monitoring your progress. Compare options designed for students who are starting to build a credit history.
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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 BofA Travel.
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- Turn daily purchases into everyday wins. Simply use your Travel Rewards credit card for the things you already buy - from gifts to getaways - BofA Rewards™ members earn more points.
- 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.
- Turn daily purchases into everyday wins. Simply use your Customized Cash Rewards credit card for the things you already buy - from gifts to groceries - BofA Rewards™ members earn more cash back.
- 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
$250
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
1.5% cash back on all purchases
Foreign Fee
3%
Purchase APR
0%
Balance Transfer
0%
Regular APR
17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Limited Time Offer! $250 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
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- No annual fee.
- Turn daily purchases into everyday wins. Simply use your Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for the things you already buy - from gifts to groceries - BofA Rewards™ members earn more cash back.
- 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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