Top Student Credit Cards Compared and Reviewed

Choosing the right student credit card can be a daunting task, especially with so many options available. The Discover it Student Cash Back card offers a cash back bonus of up to 5% on various categories, such as gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.

The Citi ThankYou Preferred Card for College Students is a great option for students who want to earn points that can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or other rewards. It also offers a sign-up bonus of 2,500 ThankYou points.

Some student credit cards, like the Capital One Journey Student Rewards Credit Card, offer a unique rewards system that allows students to earn 1% cash back on all purchases, with the potential to earn 0.25% to 1% more depending on on-time payments.

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If you're a college student looking for a credit card, there are many great options to choose from.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a top pick for students with established credit, offering no annual fee and a rewards rate that's yet to be specified.

For most college students, the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great choice, with no annual fee and a rewards rate that's also yet to be specified.

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for students studying abroad, also with no annual fee and a rewards rate that's yet to be specified.

If you're looking for a flat-rate cash-back credit card, the Citi Double Cash Card is a great option, with no annual fee and a rewards rate that's also yet to be specified.

The Discover it Student Cash Back is a great choice for students with good grades, with no annual fee and a rewards rate that's also yet to be specified.

Here are some of the top student credit cards, summarized:

Student credit cards are designed to help you build credit while in college, so it's essential to choose the right one. Think of them as training wheels for bettering your credit score during your important education years.

To start building credit, look for a credit card that reports to the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. This will ensure that your credit history is being tracked and can be used to qualify for better cards and other financial products in the future.

Most companies require you to have a job and some revenue to show, but there are ways to open co-accounts with your parents or other family members and start building a healthy credit score on time even with no personal income of your own.

Before choosing a student credit card, research and compare multiple options to determine which one is the best fit for you. Consider the eligibility criteria, rewards, annual percentage rate (APR), annual fee, and other features.

Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

By considering these factors and doing your research, you can find the best student credit card for your needs and start building a healthy credit score.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited is best for students with established credit, while the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a top choice for most college students.

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is ideal for students studying abroad, as it offers a $0 annual fee. The Citi Double Cash Card is a great option for students seeking a flat-rate cash back reward, with a $0 annual fee.

Here's a quick rundown of the top student credit cards:

The Discover it Student Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on everyday purchases in categories like grocery stores, restaurants, and Amazon, with a $1,500 quarterly maximum. This card also provides a dollar-for-dollar cashback match in the first year of card membership.

The Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students has no foreign transaction fees, no annual fees, and no credit history requirements, making it a great option for those who can't qualify for other cards. It offers 1% cash back on all purchases.

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The Capital One SavorOne Student Credit Card earns 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores, with a 1% cash back on all other purchases. This card is ideal for students who spend a significant amount of money in these categories.

Here's a comparison of the cash back rates offered by these cards:

The Capital One Quicksilver Student Credit Card offers a flat-rate cash back of 1.5% on all purchases, making it a great option for students who want a simple and straightforward rewards program. This card also comes with a manageable spending requirement to earn the sign-up bonus.

If you're planning to study abroad, you need to consider whether you'll be able to use your card internationally. The option for you is likely to be one of the cards that are widely accepted worldwide.

Cards like the Petal 2 Visa Credit Card are a great choice for international students because they don't charge foreign transaction fees. This means you can make transactions with foreign merchants without incurring extra costs.

The Petal 2 Visa Credit Card is a Visa card, which is widely accepted internationally. This makes it a convenient option for students who frequently make transactions with foreign merchants.

Here's a list of some popular credit cards for college students that are widely accepted internationally:

When it comes to fees, some student credit cards can be a real burden. The Petal 2 Visa, however, charges no fees at all.

You won't have to worry about annual membership costs, foreign transaction charges, or late fees. This can help you save money and keep your expenses in check.

Late payments may affect your credit score, but you won't be assigned a penalty APR if you don't pay your credit card bill on time.

Credit limits can be a major factor in choosing a credit card. Much like the credit cards issued to applicants with fair credit, student cards and those targeted at young adults generally have low credit limits.

The maximum amount a credit card issuer will let you borrow depends on your creditworthiness, which means it's essential to choose a card that takes your creditworthiness into account.

For more insights, see: High Credit Limit Cards for Fair Credit

The APR on the Petal 2 Visa is variable between 18.24% and 32.24%.

This card charges no fees, which is a significant advantage for cardmembers. You won't have to worry about annual membership costs, foreign transaction charges, or late fees.

Not paying your bill on time won't result in a penalty APR. However, late payments can still affect your credit score.

To avoid interest charges and keep your credit profile in good shape, it's a good idea to pay your bill in full each month.

To pick the right student credit card, research and compare multiple options to determine which one is the best fit for you. Consider factors such as eligibility criteria, rewards, annual percentage rate (APR), annual fee, and other features.

Eligibility criteria are crucial, as some cards may be out of reach if you haven't built a credit history yet. Rewards are also essential, as many student credit cards offer rewards on everyday purchases. Look at the rewards rates for each card and determine which one aligns best with your spending habits.

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Here are some key factors to consider:

The Petal 2 Visa is a great option for those just starting to build their credit history. You'll likely be able to qualify even with little to no credit history.

The card's issuing bank uses its own proprietary algorithm to determine eligibility, taking into account your income, spending, and savings. This approach makes it easier to get approved.

One of the biggest advantages of the Petal 2 Visa is that it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, making it a convenient choice for international students or frequent travelers. This means you can make transactions with foreign merchants without incurring extra fees.

The Petal 2 Visa is also widely accepted internationally, thanks to its Visa status. You can use it to make purchases and withdraw cash from ATMs anywhere that accepts Visa.

The card comes with a credit limit of up to $10,000, although your actual limit will depend on your creditworthiness.

Broaden your view: Starter Credit Cards for No Credit

The Discover it Cash Back is a fantastic option for students who want to earn cash back rewards while building their credit history.

This card offers 5% cash back on everyday purchases in categories like grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, as well as on purchases made using PayPal. You'll also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases.

One of the standout features of this card is its rewards matching program, which gives you a dollar-for-dollar match on the cash back you earn in the first year. This means if you earn $100 in cash back, you'll get another $100, for a total of $200.

The Discover it Cash Back also has no annual fee, which is a huge plus for students on a budget. And, with no foreign transaction fees, you can use the card abroad without worrying about extra charges.

Here are some key benefits of the Discover it Cash Back:

Overall, the Discover it Cash Back is a great choice for students who want to earn cash back rewards and build their credit history without breaking the bank.

Choosing the right student credit card can be a daunting task, but it's essential to make the right choice to set yourself up for financial success.

To start, consider your eligibility criteria. Some cards may require you to be a college student, while others may allow you to apply without a US credit history. The Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students, for example, doesn't require a US credit history to qualify.

Rewards are another crucial factor to consider. Many student credit cards offer rewards on everyday purchases, such as cash back or travel rewards. The Discover it Student Cash Back, for instance, offers 5% cash back on eligible categories and 1% on all other purchases.

Annual percentage rates (APRs) are also important to consider. Student credit card interest rates are generally high, but some cards offer lower rates or introductory 0% APRs. The Journey Student Rewards card, for example, has a 18.74% (variable) APR for purchases.

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Annual fees are another thing to watch out for. Most student credit cards don't charge annual fees, but some cards designed for people with little or no credit may charge a fee. To avoid these costly options, stick to student credit cards with no annual fees.

Finally, consider other features that may be important to you, such as credit line increases or introductory APRs. Some cards, like the Journey Student Rewards card, offer free access to CreditWise, a credit-monitoring app.

Here are some key factors to consider when picking a student credit card: